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OLD JIM AVERY'S 

OWN 

FARRIER AND RECIPE BOOK, 

BEING 

A CHEAPER, SAFER, AND SURER METHOD OF FARRIERY THAN 

ANY EVER BEFORE OFFERED TO THE WORLD: 

ALSO 

DISCLOSING THE WHOLE SECRET AND GREAT MYSTERY, 

BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERN, 

or 

TRAINING AND EDUCATING THE HORSE, 

TOGETHER WITH 

HINTS ON BREEDING AND SURGERY, 

CONTAINING OVER ONE HUNDRED CHOICE RECIPES, FOR THE 

PREVENTION AND CURE OF DISEASES IN HORSES, 

ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS, Etc., Etc. 

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED 

A BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR, BY A FRIEND, 

WITH A 

Life-Like Portrait of Old Jim himself. 



ALBANY: 
PRINTED BY MUNSELL & ROWLAND, 

No. 78 STATE STREET. 
1859. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by 

JAMES AVERY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for 
the Northern District of New York. 



A 



PREFACE 



Good news for the horse-, joy and long life to him. Time at length 
has produced the discovery of an infallible remedy for the cure of 
Farcy and Glanders. 

The anatomy of the horse is so little understood by a majority of 
those who have to care for and do with him, that the phrases used by 
most writers to designate the different parts thereof, or even a gland 
or muscle,* are as foreign to their purpose as it would be to call them 
Anno Domini; for they scarcely know whether they are reading 
about the horse or an Egyptian mummy. And in fact nothing short 
of a collegiate education, or a full course of lectures on the subject, 
will enable a person to comprehend the use of medicines by their 
names, any more than they can see the muscles by looking on a por- 
trait painting of a Raphael or feel the warm breath of a sculptured 
marble of a Powers, or of a Michael Angelo. 

In this little book I have endeavored to call things by their right 
names, and carefully avoided the use of all technical terms without 
giving their meaning. And I have so arranged the work and its 
index, that one has only to turn to any particular disease he may 
wish to look at to find the symptoms plainly laid down and the means 
of cure given, without reading the whole book to find what he wants 
to know. 

* What, for instance, does the farmer understand by schirtus (an indurated 
gland), metacarpal, os suffraginis, sessamoid, os coranse, os naviculare, and os 
pedis, with the metatarsals, &c. (names of bones), unguintum hydrargyri fortis 
(blue ointment), semi-membrenoBis (a muscle of the leg), aorta molica magna 
(an artery), extensor carpiverdealis longior (a muscle). 



IV PREFACE. 

What we want is to bring the horse up to his utmost capabilities 
by the cheapest, most natural and inartificial means that we are capable 
of arriving at. In time the things of earth fade and decay, and they 
may as well be worn out as to rust out. 

The artificial life that the domesticated horse is compelled to lead, 
subjects him to various diseases that he would not be liable to in a 
wild or natural state; and the only remuneration he asks at our 
hands for his services (and which is our duty to reciprocate), is to 
make up to him what he lost by his subjugation to man. 

" With a very beneficial result, the rod has been banished from our 
public schools, the cat-o'-nine tails from our army and navy, flagella- 
tion and chains from our lunatic asylums. 11 Hence we see the bene- 
fit to be derived from extending the law of kindness to our animals 
as well as to one another. And I should be right glad to see it tried 
(as it never has been yet), on a grand scale which must result in 
universal satisfaction to man as well as the horse. 

My friend has written the biography, and I have consented to its 
publication, further I have not a word to say, it speaks for itself. 

The words to be found in the preceding note are all proper and use- 
ful terms to the scholar who has been fortunate enough to be able to 
understand their meaning, but they are a dead language to all others, 
who, I think, will agree with me in saying that the true philosophy 
of practice is founded upon the laws of nature, and the theory of 
disease upon the principles that those laws teach us, and then our 
materia medica will be the boundless forest. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR, 
BY A FRIEND. 



In the beginning of the year 1795, Bilious Avery re- 
moved from Wallingford, Ct. (being then twenty-two 
years of age), to the town of Salisbury, in the county of 
Herkimer, N. Y. After clearing a small piece of ground 
and building a log house, he returned, in the fall of the 
same year, to his native state and birth place. In June 
of the next year (1796) he married Esther Hall Street, 
and returned to his new home, then almost surrounded 
by a dense forest for many miles around. But very few 
had settled in this part of the county before them.* Thus 
they became early inured to the hardships of settling a 
new country, and helped change the wilderness into 
those cultivated and fruitful fields which we now enjoy. 

As a natural result, from this union there grew up 
nine sons and two daughters. Although the advantages 

* More than half a century has passed since the town was first 
settled. It now contains nearly three thousand souls; and still there 
remain over forty thousand acres of unbroken wilderness within its 
borders. It has probably furnished as many well-to-do farmers as 
any other town in the county. 



b BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

for gaining an education in those days were far from what 
they now are, yet they succeeded well in mastering the 
common branches, and fitting themselves for the import- 
ant stations in life which they afterwards held. 

James (who has since been called Old Jim), the sub- 
ject of this biography, was born November 18th, 1809, 
being the sixth son, or eighth one of this family of 
eleven. The sequel of this man's history discloses seve- 
ral things touching peculiar traits of character and habits 
of life, that may be read with pleasure and profit by 
both the youth and parents of our land. 

Higher^ with him, was ever a word of noble meaning, 
" the inspiration to all great deeds; the sympathetic chain 
that leads, lipk by link, the impassioned soul to its zenith 
of glory; and which still holds its mysterious object 
standing and glittering among the stars." 

As the impressions made upon the mind in childhood 
are very lasting, and have considerable influence in form- 
ing one's character in after life, perhaps it will not be 
amiss to state here one that was deeply felt by him in 
early life. We paint our lives in fresco, and the soft and 
facile plaster of the moment hardens under every stroke 
of the brush into eternal rock. 

He, as a matter of course in the early part of his life, 
was brought up under church rule (his parents being 
Presbyterians, as were a majority of the New England 
emigrants who came to this state in former days), and, 
as soon as his infant tongue was able to lisp the Lord's 
prayer, he was taught to repeat it every night on going 
to bed, by his Christian mother. This was well, for it had 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH / 

a lasting and beneficial influence upon his mind. The 
next thing brought to bear upon his mind was the old 
fashioned catechism and the lessons taught in the Sunday 
school, where he learned to read tolerably well for a boy 
of his age. Being naturally fond of reading, he was at 
this early age taught to read, as well as to believe, the 
Bible. He was promised a handsome new book if he 
would read the Bible through: he did so, and was then 
told the New Testament was meant to be included in the 
task. He then went through with that also, using the 
daytime and a good portion of the night to accomplish 
his purpose. He was finally persuaded, by renewed pro- 
mises, to read both the Old and New Testaments through, 
and then the New Testament again, making twice he 
read the Old Testament, and the New three times, and all 
this before he was nine years old. 

And if you should ask him if he ever got the new 
book promised him for all this labor, his answer would 
be, no. This was truly discouraging and detrimental to 
his education; but which of the two was most injurious 
to him, the promise not being kept, or over-taxing the 
mind with this reading, I am not able to say; at any rate 
neither promises nor books were valued very high by him 
for some ten years at least, for always after this, while at 
school, he liked sport better than books, and would have 
it by exciting his schoolmates to laughter in some way 
or other, even though it cost him an occasional flogging. 

Thus life bore him on like the stream of a mighty 
river. His little boat* being once launched, it first glides 

* See verse at the close of Hints to Purchasers. 



8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

along the narrow channel, beside the playful murmurings 
of the little brook, and the windings of its grassy borders, 
with nothing to guide its course, except the first lessons 
taught him by a mother, the trees shedding their blos- 
soms over his young head, and the flowers of the brink 
seeming to offer themselves to his hands, he was happy 
with hope, and grasped eagerly at the beauties around 
him. But the stream hurries him on, and still his hands 
are found empty. But not so with the mind; it is this 
which gives beauty to the rose, throws sublimity around 
the mountain and the comet, envelopes the cascade with 
beauty, and the heavens with grandeur. And in propor- 
tion to the mind's breadth and depth, the store of in- 
formation it possesses, and the accumulation and scope 
of ideas, so are the loftiness and intensity of its en- 
joyments. But his course through youth and manhood 
has been along a wider and deeper flood, amid objects 
more striking and magnificent. 

He seemed early to realize the circumstances that sur- 
rounded him, and was fully impressed with the idea that 
he must be the artificer of his own fame and fortune, 
and that success could only be looked for through his own 
exertions. 

While yet a schoolboy, he made himself a book (not 
the one previously promised him) of clean white paper, 
in which he daily wrote .such words and sentences as he 
happened to hear fall from the lips of others, which he 
thought contained any moral or beautiful language, that 
might be of use to him in after life. This was followed 
after he had ceased going to school, by keeping a record 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. » 

of the weather, and, to him, all important events, where 
he was, what he did each day, and ending, after about 
thirty years, in keeping an account of the number of 
horses he had owned, together with the diseases they had 
been troubled with, and the means of cure employed by 
him and others. And this was accompanied, the greater 
part of the time, by the most industrial habits of his 
hands, working almost incessantly on his farm or else- 
where, being second to none in this respect according to 
his physical strength. Thus he became a very useful 
citizen as well as benefactor, and was endeared to his 
family for producing his full share of the necessaries of 
life by his own hands. 

" Alike to him is time or tide, 

Decembers snows or July's pride; 

Alike to him is tide or time, 

Moonless midnight or matin prime." 

Being animated by the moving picture of enjoyment 
and industry, he thus passed along (as in his school-boy 
days) until he is brought to reflect more seriously upon 
choosing some occupation for the future that would be 
congenial to his mind, when one day he chanced to pick 
up a copy of the first volume of Judge Buel's Cultivator, 
published at Albany, N. Y., which he became very much 
interested in, and he soon learned to appreciate its use- 
fulness while reading it very attentively with both pleas- 
ure and profit; after which he was not long in making 
up his mind what course to pursue for a livelihood. 

Being intensely fond, from youth, of the horse, there- 
fore the study of it in health and disease would be just 
the occupation in life to afford ample opportunity to sat- 



10 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

isfy Lis grow ing desires in this respect, as the horse would 
be brought into requisition in almost all his industrial 
pursuits, as well as the breeding, raising and training of 
this useful animal (which is one of the greatest gifts from 
God to man) could be turned to profitable account, while 
the whole labor and care would be attended with un- 
bounded pleasure. 

Thus he was borne along the stream of life, being 
sometimes excited by some short-lived disappointment, 
until he had gained a competency (for the time being), 
when his past joys and griefs were alike left far behind. 
But as he gradually arose in the scale of society, he dis- 
covered that he was slighted by those who thought them- 
selves his superiors (which might have been true in 
artificial acquirements, but not in original strength of 
mind). Feeling deeply chagrined at this unloooked for 
conduct in those who ought to have been his friends, he 
resolved to outstrip them in usefulness by applying his 
mind to reading and study, for the double purpose of ac- 
quiring knowledge and avenging himself on those who 
had thus offended him. This was a noble resolution of 
a noble mind, and one, too, that was well kept. 

His great love for reading and learning was now fairly 
rekindled anew (as he used to say he might be ship- 
wrecked but could not be delayed, whether the sea was 
rough or smooth), while a portion of his time at least, 
w r as spent in reading the news of the day and other use- 
ful matter; and being naturally fond of the horse, he did 
not fail to read every thing on this subject that he could 
lay his hands on, as well as to throw on paper every 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 11 

new idea that occurred to him, which is a commendable 
habit for all young men to imitate, on this or any other 
subject of importance. He is one of those men who 
prefer to acquire by rough experience, what others might 
choose to be taught. And he generally chooses to be 
governed by the result of his own experience and reflec- 
tions rather than hazard a novel experiment, controlled 
by sudden excitement. Although it requires but a mo- 
ment's reflection to bring him to a position he deems it 
his duty as a citizen to occupy, yet he always considers 
the sober second thought the safest to act upon in all 
great measures or circumstances in life. He possessed 
a vitality, a moral vigor, that resisted the enervating 
influences around him. The early principles of piety 
(though he did not always follow its impulse), instilled 
into his heart by his strong minded mother, did help to 
form a basis of rock to his character in after life, which 
the winds of temptation in vain assailed and beset on 
every side, in almost its worst forms, and not the Jess 
dangerous because lurking in flowery ambush. His 
gratitude toward his benefactors was constant, and only 
equaled by his affection for them. 

The reader will readily perceive by this time that his 
life has been a somewhat chequered one; and he will 
please have the goodness to remember that a smooth sea 
never makes a skillful mariner; neither does uninterrupted 
prosperity and success in life qualify a man for useful- 
ness or happiness. The storms of adversity, like the 
storms of the ocean, arouse the faculties, excite the in- 
vention, prudence, skill and fortitude of the voyager. 



12 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

" The martyrs of ancient times, in bracing their minds 
to outward calamities, acquired a loftiness of purpose and 
heroism, worth a life of ease and security." 

But the river hastens his little boat towards its goal. 
Thus he sails along through some twenty years of his life, 
in almost uninterrupted peace and usefulness; and what- 
ever his faults might have been, they were regarded only 
as the common frailties of mankind. For he always chose 
to be right rather than be popular; or, in other words, 
he was unwilling to sacrifice principle for expediency. 
Those who were acquainted with him through this part 
of his journey, speak of him as being kind and generous 
almost to a fault; to whom an appeal for sympathy or 
relief, was sure to find a ready and cheerful response. 
And whatever his mind seemed to lack of wit and fancy, 
was owing to a want of an early polish; but without 
this and the adventitious aid of fortune (only what was 
acquired by his industrious pursuits on his farm), he 
gained a place in society that was worthy of any man. 
He accomplished this by the force of a strong native in- 
tellect, cultivated and improved by application to study 
in hours of relaxation from work, and which was further 
strengthened by the closest observation based on a sound 
judgment. Therefore he may well be styled what is 
called a " self made man." 

His little boat has brought him now w T here the roar of 
the ocean is in his ears. It seems to grow in size as the 
waters expand. As his wants increase, he has to throw 
out more sail or be shipwrecked; and when he thinks 
himself sufficiently rigged for the coasting trade, and 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 13 

fairly launched on the ocean of life, he engages in specu- 
lation, thinking it might be more remunerative than his 
farmer labors. But he has often strove to accumulate 
money for the pleasure it gave him in doing so, as from 
necessity, though he may sometimes have been straight- 
ened to obtain a sufficient sum to meet his present de- 
mands. He generally, however, contrived some way to 
take on board enough ballast to counterbalance the sail 
he gave to the barge. 

For a time he was very successful in his new occupa- 
tion, when he came very near losing all, which was ac- 
complished by a trio of black-coated villains, assisted by 
one of the legal profession, whose heart was blacker than 
his coat. This put a damper on his operations for the 
time being, it is true, but his ever hopeful heart was not 
to be crushed out in this way. Nor could he be induced 
to join these scamps for the sake of repairing his fortune 
(as offers were made him to this effect), but he did not 
despair. He never hoisted the black flag in his life, but 
left the work of repentance and punishment to whom it 
belonged. He only had to fallback to his former pur- 
suits of industry and economy, to soon wipe out his in- 
debtedness brought about by the heartless scoundrels, and 
preserve his integrity, which was never questioned by 
those who knew him best. 

He was temperate in prosperity, resolute and untiring 
in adversity, which, to say the least, is a part of a great 
mind. By thus squaring the yards and bracing the sails 
(as he soon learned to do) of his little boat, that he first 
started with down the grassy borders of the little stream, 
it has at length grown to a middle sized ship, compared 
2 



14 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

with the surrounding sail on the ocean of life, where the 
storms and waves are tossing us about. And he has been 
able to steer his craft thus far through life's meanderings, 
and to adhere firmly to the first principles of virtue 
taught him in youth, which ever appear like stars in the 
jfirmament, or like a bright ornament among the rubies 
that make life pleasant and beautiful. 

Thus he has occupied a place in the great hive of hu- 
man industry, content with study, and producing the 
sweets of peace and innocent, pleasure by the sweat of 
the brow. He possessed a mind that, with the advan- 
tages of an early education, and aided by encouragement 
from family connection or friends, might have raised him 
still to a higher sphere of usefulness. 

" All superiority and pre-eminence that one man can 
have over another, may be reduced to the notion of 
quality;" which, considered at large, is either that of 
fortune, body or mind. The first of these is that which 
consists in birth, titles, or riches; and it is the most 
foreign to our natures, and what we can the least call 
our own of the three qualities named. In relation to the 
body, quality arises from health, strength or beauty, 
which is nearer to us, and more a part of ourselves than 
the former. Quality of mind has for its source, know- 
ledge and virtue. It is more essential to and more inti- 
mately united with us, than either of the other two. 
Every one knows that there are moments, nay, hours of 
moral weakness, when the soul quails before its inevita- 
ble portion — when the gloom of some terrible dread shuts 
out every ray of hope, and a courage almost superhuman 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15 

is needed to endure and brave the trial. He used to say 
the best way was as good as any. And he never failed 
to meet bravely the trials, the unavoidable trials of life, 
after withdrawing from the noise and clamor of a busy 
world for a time sufficient for repose and reflection, when 
he always came forth with brightened hope and renewed 
vigor, which enabled him to confront the dangers of the 
world and brave the trials of life with fortitude, for, if 
he ever was ensnared it was while acting under the im- 
pulse of the moment. But there are weak souls to whom 
the hour of triumph never comes. Some of these the 
grave early claims, and they fade from out the memory 
that should have cherished them. Others rush to a source 
of artificial strength, too ignorant or too heedless of con- 
sequences to give heed to the voice of kindly remon- 
strance, which much be followed by a deeper depth of 
weakness and moral cowardice. 

We can give the outlines of one's character and qual- 
ity of mind as far as we become acquainted with them, 
and still there is something wanting. Every one, while 
reading the life and acts of another, has a desire to know 
how he looks, which can be satisfied better by viewing 
his portrait than I can do it with the pen. But this 
much I can say for him: his physical qualities are worthy 
of the mind and heart that animates them. He stands 
about five feet eight inches in height; his frame is strong, 
muscular, but admirably proportioned, while his head is 
massive, the forehead being high and broad, exhibiting 
what phrenologists call the organs of ideality, causality, 
benevolence and veneration in full development. He has 
a clear, blue and expressive eye, brown hair, the mouth 



16 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

firm but not compressed, and chin round and finished 
when shaved so that one can see it. In a word, a union 
of intellectual, benevolent and fearless expression, with 
good deportment, and about one hundred and eighty-five 
pounds as an average weighs make him rather a prepos- 
sessing figure to look at. 

In youth he was remarkably spry. His frowns and 
gestures were such, when the lion within was aroused by 
ill-treatment, that but few men cared to cross his path a 
second time. But this has been overbalanced since by 
cultivation of the mind and learning to govern his pas- 
sions, though he, like most of his race, is unwilling to 
brook an insult without a proper resentment. We always 
find in those possessed of the finer feelings 'of our nature, 
the opposite qualities of mind, especially when harrowed 
up to a pitch that is no longer endurable; for, without 
this principle we would be but little elevated above the 
brute creation. 

In order to do him justice, as well as the public, touch- 
ing his knowledge of the horse, and capacity to govern 
him, it will be necessary to go back some forty years at 
least, for even in boyhood he is said to have exhibited 
an intense fondness for horses, and remarkable aptitude 
for breaking and training them after the old fashioned 
way; and when but a lad of some dozen years, he would 
drive or ride horses which had foiled their masters; and 
I have known him many a time when on the road in com- 
pany with others whose horses bothered them so they 
could not make them straighten their traces in some bad 
place, or up a hill, when, after driving his own safely 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



17 



over, he would go back and drive theirs over or up, as 
the case might be, by only taking the reins in his hands 
and talking to them; for, if the whip had not already 
been worn up on them, he would lay it aside and be 
careful not to let them see it. And sometimes, when he 
found it necessary, he might be seen on the back of one, 
perhaps whistling while they were drawing the load 
along. 

He was the plow-boy at home, and was allowed to do 
most of the team work, for he always managed the horses 
well, and did the work up in a farmer-like manner. He 
chose to go with the team rather than do anything else, 
as this afforded him all the sport he needed, aside from 
the work there was to be done. I well recollect dining 
at his father's house shortly after he had visited a circus. 
The family were in waiting for him, when they were 
startled by seeing the horses he had been plowing with 
coming at the top of their speed some fifty rods distant, 
and young Jim (not yet old Jim) standing straight up 
with a foot on the back of each. As the horses reached 
the stable, to the joy of his mother and others who wit- 
nessed the feat, he leaped from off their backs unhurt, 
and, what was more astonishing to behold, there was 
nothing on either horse save the bare halters, the ends of 
which he held in one hand as they were drawn up be- 
tween the necks of the horses. 

I cannot forbear relating another feat of his to which 
I was an eye-witness, and which I deem worthy of note 
for its highly amusing character. It goes to show that 
he possessed remarkable powers of imitation, combined 



18 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

with great muscular activity. This occurred in his youth- 
ful days, and shortly after he had been to see a wire- 
dancer and tumbler perform some of his herculean feats 
on the slack wire, such as going through the sword ex- 
ercise, snuffing the candle against the wall with the point 
of his sword, &c. The boys had procured a bed cord 
and had it strung from beam to girt of the barn and 
coming down near the floor in the centre. After taking 
the stretch well out of it, he learned to walk, as well as 
to lay down and get up again, while swinging as far as 
the sides of the barn would allow. This brought several 
of the little neighbors to the barn to see and participate 
in the play. On one of these occasions, after quite a 
number of them had congregated, I walked in with seve- 
ral friends to see the sport. Jim, being the champion 
(as he thought) on the slack rope, without much urging, 
took his father's swingle knife in his hand for a sword, 
and mounted cavalry, as he called it. After going through 
many surprising feats, to the delight and surprise of all 
present, he next came to the sword exercise, which he 
performed with great dexterity, mimicking him of the 
circus in many of his evolutions and drolleries, by balanc- 
ing it on his chin, twirling it on his thumb, &c. Then 
came the snuffing of the candle, which was only a wisp 
of straw one of the boys had tucked up in a crack of the 
door as a substitute. Jim, after brandishing the swingle 
knife over his head so as to prepare to cut twice with 
one motion, as he said, walked towards the candle, 
making one fell swoop of a blow at it, while at the same 
time the rope flew out from under his feet, laying Jim, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 

neck and heels, on the opposite side of the barn floor, 
and sending the old swingle knife over the big beam on 
the hay mow. When he picked himself up and got 
through scratching his head, he said that was nothing 
but a windfall, but he believed he had cut three times 
instead of twice. However that may be, I think he has 
not gone through the sword exercise from that day to 
this. Thus ended that day's performance in a roar of 
laughter. 

At another time, while calling on him at his farm some 
years afterwards, I was surprised on viewing his stock of 
young horses. He showed me eight splendid three year 
old colts, two two year old, besides the working team and 
a sucking colt and its dam. These he seemed to almost 
idolize; and it was pleasing, indeed, to see how fond 
they appeared to be of him, while they all appeared to 
know their respective names as well as so many boys 
would. He had Texas, Sampson, Charley, Petona, Snap, 
Sidney, Donkey, Minx, Flora, Black Hawk, &c, &c, all 
of which he raised from colts. They would come to him 
from as far off as they could hear him whistle, and when 
approaching at the top of their speed, they put one in 
mind of a caravan crossing the sandy deserts of Arabia. 

He always seemed to be very successful in governing 
the horse under almost any circumstances; and he has 
passed through several hair-breadth escapes unhurt, owing 
to his great presence of mind, and capacity to control 
the feelings of the horse in moments of danger — once in 
particular, in attempting to ford the West Canada creek 
where the bridge had been carried away by a freshet. 
But after he became acquainted with the more humane 



20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

system of treatment, which he discovered in part himself, 
he practiced with improved success, both in training and 
charming the horse (as it is called), in learning it to 
perform tricks, in obtaining perfect control over its pas- 
sions, intellect, &c. He breaks the horse to suit his own 
fancy, whatever that may happen to be, whether it is to 
step or stand at the word, or any other given signal. 

He has owned a great many horses, I know not how 
many, but I should think enough to tow all the boats in 
the Erie canal through from Troy to Buffalo in one day, 
if 1 may so speak, and they have almost invariably im- 
proved while in his hands. Though he has dealt largely 
at times, owning a great number of them, yet whether he 
always dealt fairly I know not, still he never had any 
litigation whatever in consequence of said deal, which is 
more than every one can say. 

A person looking at the forest in early fall, after the 
leaves have been nipped by the frost, might possibly 
number them; but for me to describe all the good acts of 
this man, in* this little narrative of his life, would be as 
hard a task as to number those leaves when they are fall- 
ing like a shower of rain drops. He seemed to delight 
in doing good, and was content only in doing what to him 
appeared to be his whole duty, which the following work 
will plainly show. But we must not look for perfection 
in any man. His success and ability to administer to the 
wants of the horse when diseased seems to more than 
equal that of managing him in health. It always pains 
him to see one in distress, and his desire to alleviate its 
suffering seems to have begun almost with his existence, 
for when quite young, and previous to his acquiring any 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21 

professional knowledge, either of disease or its proper 
remedies, by study, he was among the first to discover 
the difficulty and prescribe for the same. Hence it be- 
came a common saying among those who were immedi- 
ately acquainted with him (and not unfrequently when 
the disease had baffled the skill of the experienced) to 
say, " where is Jim? call him!" And in such cases he 
seems to have been led by instinct (as it were), and aided 
by the most scrutinizing observations and good judg- 
ment to employ such remedies as were most sure to effect 
a cure. 

Encouraged by the success he met with in this branch 
of his business, he has been untiring in adding to the 
knowledge he possessed; for he is one of those men who 
never thought nor pretended that he knew it all; and his 
researches after knowledge and association with profess- 
ional men have enabled him to make many valuable dis- 
coveries of his own in this science, besides bringing out 
before the world many things that others had not the 
knowledge to accomplish. This he has performed almost 
regardless of the expense it was to him, although he had 
not gained a wide-spread notoriety, for the very reason 
he never made any effort to do so, but generally acted to 
the reverse of what was necessary to gain what he was 
justly entitled to He is a man of few words on this 
subject; notwithstanding, whenever he saw one of these 
noble creatures suffering, from whatever cause it might 
be, he never hesitated to do or tell others what (in his 
opinion) was necessary to relieve them. Of this there 
could be found, along the path he had traveled, a goodly 



22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

number of willing witnesses that have been profited by 
his advice. 

The work he now offers to the public for their perusal 
and benefit, is one of the great efforts he has made to do 
good (after his physical strength had failed him), by 
giving to the world the result of his experience, for which 
I hope he will be justly compensated. He has lived to 
witness the important changes and inventions of about 
one-half of the nineteenth century, which has been one of 
the most progressive ages, in many respects, on record. 
And he has not been an idle looker-on during all this 
time, but has seemed to profit by the advantages offered 
him, by cultivation of the mind and endeavoring to keep 
pace with this age of rail roads, steam and telegraphs. 

That man is the impression of a superior power is just 
as evident to him as the letters used in forming the songs 
of Zion were made by the types that preceded them. 
But of his further voyage on earth there is no witness 
save the Infinite and Eternal. But we may listen to what 
the poet has to say: 

Our author delighted in music and song, 
(And Ihe music of Dature is surely not wrong,) 
From the chaunting of birds and the humming of bees, 
To the song of the maid in the shade of the trees. 

The clarionet's tone, and the horn and the harp, 
(To banish bad spirits and leave a light heart), 
Would revive him at once for the task of the day, 
In training his chargers for work or for play. 

The discov'ries he made remain yet to be told, 
And can scarcely be measured by silver or gold, 
Yet the fame that is due for such work of the mind, 
Is a debt that comes slow from the most of mankind. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 23 

And the best of all prophets was once known to say 
That no prophet had honor at home, in his day; 
And therefore we must wait for time's wheel to come 'round, 
And submit to that chance where no better is found. 

If 'tis true in all cases that men get their pay 
For all trouble, in this life, as some people say; 
Then, fate, please be lib'ral and help him to a share 
Of the credit that's due for his labor and care. 



AVERY'S OWN FARRIER 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

Knowledge. — There have been, heretofore, different 
definitions given to this word by different persons, viz: 
wealth, power, &c. But suffice it to say on the present 
occasion, that knowledge is ignorance met and over- 
come. Now I do not mean by this that I have overcome 
all that exists on this important subject, for I do not be- 
lieve that it is for one man to know all; neither do I 
think it is right for us to monopolize all that we may 
learn of wisdom's ways; or, in other words, to keep as a 
profound secret all we may chance to know, for our own 
special benefit. But I have often thought that man ought 
to do as much as the simple worm of the dust that crawls 
along the earth, leaving his mark in the sand wherever 
he goes. Thus we should do all the good we can as we 
pass along through this world, and leave our mark* for 
the benefit of the race. 

I have no claims to scholarship, therefore I make no 

* See verse at the close of Hints to Purchasers. 

3 



26 avery's own farrier. 

pretensions of the kind. It is my object to be useful 
rather than to appear learned; and I will offer to the pub- 
lic the information I possess on the subject in question 
in candor, and I hope in a manner to be understood. 

The art of healing, considered as a whole, is of great 
importance to mankind; and it has long been the custom 
of many of our professional men to strip it of its sim- 
plicity and mystify everything pertaining to it as much 
as possible. 

I have owned, in the course of my life, thus far, over 
five hundred horses, both young and old, and have never 
lost but one with any kind of disease whatever; many 
of which I have raised from colts, and employed in most 
kinds of business on the road and farm, having conse- 
quently often had occasion to exercise my skill (but not 
to boast) in doctoring them for almost every disease that 
the horse is liable to. For the last thirty years I have 
been in the habit of recording the symptoms of disease 
in the horse as they have transpired before me, together 
with the remedies employed by me and others in curing 
the same, which I think will be of use to me (and others 
hereafter) in the work now before me; and it also fur- 
nishes me with a catalogue of recipes that I have often 
been solicited for; and there is not one of them that I 
ever knew to fail in effecting a cure when properly ad- 
ministered, for otherwise they would not have found a 
place in the list. For some years past, I have thought of 
making them public, but have deferred the matter in or- 
der to obtain what further information I needed, and un- 
til I was certain that I was right, for fear I might mis- 



avery's own farrier. 27 

lead by my ignorance, instead of wisely guiding by my 
knowledge. 

Almost every new discovery meets with opposition 
from an incredulous people, and the consequence is that 
many truths, long since discovered, have lain dormant, 
and but for the notice of some future one perhaps might 
have been lost to the world forever. I know full well 
that truth was ever born with many a bitter pang, and 
most to him who gave it birth; but that it will out-live 
prejudice, and its claims be acknowledged at last, I could 
never doubt. It cannot perish, but as far as I am con- 
cerned it matters not whether it is universally acknow- 
ledged in my day or not. But at this age, and upon this 
particular subject especially, the claim to entire origin- 
ality must be relinquished. So far from attempting it, 
I confess that I shall be obliged to trespass on the lan- 
guage of others in describing many diseases of the horse 
and the necessary remedies, when I find they contain mat- 
ter that is useful for ray purpose, which acknowledgment 
I hope will be received in place of marks of quotations, 
if they should at any time be omitted. 

Almost all diseases are brought on by the violation of 
nature's law in some way or other; and in all cases of 
disease, such remedies (if any) should be employed as 
will assist nature in performing her great work, instead 
of impeding it; for even the old school of medicine has 
discovered that nature, unassisted by art, is sufficient to 
cure many diseases even of a violent character. Expe- 
riments have been made in several cases to prove this 
fact, with results satisfactory to all lovers of progress. 
Sleep and rest are tired nature's sweet restorers. 



28 

The stomach makes large demands on the circulation 
of the blood, for the purpose of digestion; and as it and 
the brain are like two mills on one stream, when one is 
engaged to the full extent of the motive power the other 
must suspend its operation. Therefore, the most favor- 
able time to educate the spirited horse or learn him any 
little trick you might wish to see him perform, is not 
when his stomach is overloaded with food, for then it is 
that the brain is most inactive and liable to forget what 
you wish him to remember, neither would the best time 
be when he was suffering from hunger, for that alone 
w r ould occupy too much of his feeling to make a favor- 
able impression in the right direction; but a medium 
between the two might be chosen to advantage, say half- 
way between meals, which should be given him at regular 
intervals. 

You have looked at that and probably had your laugh, 
now look at this and ponder. Like the mind or any- 
thing else, low and groveling as well as high, fast or 
slow, will find its affinity as water finds its level. Well, 
what is faster or quicker than lightning? Nothing, you 
say. Well, what contains more electricity in the ani- 
mal kingdom than some kinds of hair ? This accounts, 
in a certain degree, for the great speed or velocity that 
some of the canine species are enabled to make, which 
are known to occupy considerable of their time in lick- 
ing themselves, and in so doing fill all their food in the 
stomach with hair. The cause of speed lies not in their 
muscular power altogether, but for everything there is a 
time and a purpose. 

I do not wish to detract from or claim any credit for 



avery's own farrier. 29 

what others have done who have gone before me; I 
only ask for the merit due, if any, for what I may add 
to their productions. With these simple remarks, which 
may serve as a key to the following, I shall proceed to 
the work before me. And when you have had a chance 
to see my mark, by a fair, unprejudiced perusal of this 
work, it will be for you to judge whether or not I have 
added anything to the stock of knowledge you already 
possess. 



Figure No. 1. 




Muzzle 



The Name and Situation of the External Parts of the Horse. 



avery's own farrier. 31 

CHAPTER I. 

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 

Reader, it is not my intention to give a history of the 
horse in this little book, but to inform you how you may 
cure it when diseased. Although a brief history, together 
with a few anecdotes and sayings of the men of the old 
world, may not be deemed out of place, and may be in- 
teresting to some, yet we shall have to content ourselves 
with such accounts as the history of our country affords, 
and as I possess. 

There are only three kinds of these useful creatures, 
viz: the horse, the ass and the zebra. You may raise a 
cross breed from the horse and ass (called the mule), but 
you can go no further. 

The native country of the horse remains very obscure, 
and can not with certainty be traced from history; although 
he has been found running wild in Asia, Africa, South 
America, Western Prairies, Rocky Mountains, and doubt- 
less in many other parts of the world. 

Notwithstanding, it seems most probable that he was 
first domesticated in Egypt, but at what period of time* 
it is difficult to tell; 1920 years before the birth of Christ, 
when Abraham, having left Haran in obedience to the 
divine command, was driven into Egypt by the famine 
which raged in Canaan (Gen. xii, 16), Pharaoh offered 
him sheep, and oxen, and asses, and camels. Horses 
would doubtless have been added (with the same gene- 
rous spirit that accompanied this offer) had they then ex- 



32 



isted, or had they been subdued in Egypt. When fifty 
years afterwards, Abraham journeyed to the mount Mo- 
riah to offer up his only son, he rode upon an ass, which I 
think he would surely not have done, with all his wealth 
and power, had the horse been in use at this time 
(Gen. xxii, 3). 

Thirty years later, when Jacob returned to Isaac with 
Rachel and Leah, an account is given (Gen. xxxii, 14) of 
the number of oxen, sheep, camels, goats and asses, which 
he sent to appease the anger of Esau, but not one horse 
is mentioned. 

It was not until twenty-four years after this, when 
the famine devastated Canaan, and Jacob sent into 
Egypt, to buy corn, that horses and wagons were first 
heard of. They were then sent by Joseph into Canaan 
to bring his father back to Egypt (Gen. xlv, 21, and 
Gen. xlvii, 17). It would seem, however, that horses had 
been but lately introduced, or not used as beasts of bur- 
den, for the whole of the corn which was to be conveyed 
some hundreds of miles, and was to afford sustenance for 
Jacob's large household, was carried on asses (Gen. 
xlv, 23). 

Somewhere about the year 1740 before Christ, is the 
period when horses appear to have been first used in 
Egypt. They appear, however, to have rapidly in- 
creased and spread abroad; for when the Israelites re- 
turned into Canaan, the Canaanites went out to fight 
against Israel, with chariots and horsemen very many. 
The sacred volume seems therefore to decide the import- 
ant point, that the first domestication of the horse was in 



33 

Egypt. It also decides another point, that Arabia, by 
whose breed of horses those of other countries have been 
so much improved, was not the native place of the horse; 
for six hundred years after the time just referred to, there 
were no horses in Arabia. 

Solomon imported silver, gold and spices, from 
Arabia (2 Chron. ix, 14), but all the horses for his own 
cavalry and chariots, he procured from Egypt (2 Chron. 
i, 17). In this place it is mentioned that a horse brought 
from Egypt cost 150 shekels of silver, which amounts to 
something over seventeen pounds sterling, or a little over 
eighty-five dollars, American currency; which was con- 
sidered an enormous sum for those days. 

A writer (Goodrich, if I mistake not) thus says, "that 
horse of Arabia and the southern parts of Europe, are 
clearly derived from Egypt; but whether they were bred 
there or imported from the southwestern regions of Asia, 
or, as is more probably the case, brought from the inte- 
rior or northern coasts of Africa, can not with certainty 
be determined." 

The first horse-race, of which we have any account, 
dates back to Greece, eight hundred and eighty-four 
years before Christ. The first trotting park on record 
was in Italy, built by Tarquinius Priscus. According to 
Pliny, it was oblong, three and a half furlongs long, and 
had rows of seats all around, raised one above the other, 
sufficient to accommodate 300,000 persons. A race 
usually consisted of seven rounds, equal to seven or eight 
miles. Competitors in these games were disciplined for 
ten months previous. The honor of having gained a 



34 avery's own farrier. 

victory then was very great; it extended from the victor 
to his country, which was proud to own him. So much 
then for the Olympic games, &c. 

For me to undertake to trace the pedigree of any of 
our valuable horses at this day, back to the original stock 
of imported horses, viz: the Eclipse, the Barb, the Fly- 
ing Guilders, the Derby or Wellesley Arabian, the Snap, 
Sampson, the Race horse, the Hunter, &c , with a host 
of others, is more than useless. 

Although we have the Morgans, the Black Hawks, 
and some fine importations in this country, we may well 
challenge all other nations of the earth for a good breed 
of horses. Proper for all uses, we have them from eight 
to eighteen hands high, and some as heavy as any in the 
world. Some are calculated for draft, or drudgery, and 
some for swiftness; we have them suitable for all the 
various wants we may require of them. We have almost 
an endless variety of breeds. The earliest history, how- 
ever, of the horse, gives us an account of but very few ; and 
I am not certain but they were all derived from one — that 
is, the ass or zebra, for we have their record first. An- 
cient writers recognize three or four distinct varieties of 
the ass, viz: Paru, Chamor, Aton and Orud (see Natural 
History of the Bible, by Thaddeus Mason Harris, by Wells 
& Lilly, Boston). 

We learn also from history that all the different varie- 
ties of the apple we have at this day — and which af- 
fords one of the greatest luxuries to mankind — were all 
derived from one parent stock, viz: the little crab apple 
(as it is called), of which there is very little use. made 



35 

now.* Then why is it any more improbable that the 
horse, or the different varieties thereof, were all derived 
from one parent stock, than to suppose that all the differ- 
ent species of the human race, with all the difference in 
color, shape and stature, had their origin in Adam and 
Eve. 

The horse has been found running wild in many parts 
of the world, but always dwarfish in size; and the na- 
tives, or red men of the forest, for a great length of 
time, knew no other use of him than to eat his flesh; but 
in more civilized countries the horse becomes more tract- 
able, and there and no where else has its real value come 
to be practically understood. 

I might write enough to fill a volume, but as I intended 
to be brief on this subject, and for fear I might tire the 
patience of the reader, I will close this part of the history. 

The Horse is of Great Utility to Man. 
According to his known history he has been the friend 
and servant of man for nearly four thousand years; all 
classes of people, from the highest rulers and warriors, 

*The transformations wrought by horticulturists and pomologists 
are all but incredible. Peaches were originally poisonous almonds, 
and usei to impregnate arrows with deadly venom. Cherries are de- 
rived from a berry of which a single one only grew on a stem. Nec- 
tarines and apricots are hybrids of the plum and peach. The chief 
esculents, with its relatives, broccoli and cauliflower, come from a 
marine plant — the common sea-kale, which shoots up on some sandy 
shores. From wild, sour crabs, scarcely larger than boys' marbles, 
have proceeded all varieties of apples. The largest and richest of 
plums are descendants of the black thorn's bitter sloe. Such are mere 
specimens of vegetable metamorphoses, brought about by transplant- 
ing, acclimating, crossing and culture. — Patent Office Report, 1849. 



36 avery's own farrier. 

down to the lowest peasants on earth, have shared their 
friendship and utility. The horse has also had its ad- 
mirers and friends among all classes of men; even the 
poor Arab treats him as one of his own family* by lodg- 
ing him in the tent with his wife and children. And 
yet his education is only in its infancy. 

His value has been so estimated from his first subjuga- 
tion to the present, that a portion at least of all civilized 
nations, as well as the Tndian who catches him wild, 
have participated in the pleasure and profits of the horse. 
And his value at the present time depends, to a great 
extent, on the knowledge and skill we possess in using 
him; for when we call out the finer feelings of his nature 
by kind treatment, we are delighted and comforted in the 
manner and willingness in which he renders his services 
for our benefit; while to those who know no other way 
of governing him than by brute force, he often becomes 
fretful and vicious, and even a dangerous servant; con- 
sequently we see that his real value to us rises or falls, 
according to our ability and manner of governing him. 

He has been imported and transported from nation to 
nation; he is used to do our hardest drudgery, as well as 
to pride himself in honoring kings; he is used to convey 
us to places of amusement and worship; in fact there is 
no avocation in which man is engaged that the horse is 
not made useful to further his purpose. And in all places, 
and among all classes, we find his value corresponding 
with the state of society where he is employed. And 
here is another idea about the horse which is worth its 
weight in gold, viz: his cultivation and improvement 
have a tendency to promote good society. For man, 



37 

while cultivating the finer feelings of his nature (as he 
must, in order to control the horse properly), arrives to 
that degree of refinement in his mind which is so neces- 
sary for a member of good society to possess. 

I have known men to buy a pair of horses, paying 
from three to four hundred dollars for them, which was 
considered by many an enormous price. The purchaser, 
after keeping them a few months, would sell them again 
for double the price he paid, to the astonishment of those 
who considered the first price extravagant. This may be 
attributable to the knowledge of the dealer of the market, 
and his skill in training and improving their condition 
while they remained in his hands. So we see, too, that 
the study of the horse is calculated to elevate the mind 
of man, as well as to replenish his purse. 

How often do we see young men whose almost first 
act in life is to buy a horse, and sometimes before they 
are able to pay the purchase money; and even part with 
the last cow and every other valuable before they will 
part with their horse. This shows the great attachment 
man has for the horse, which can be traced back through 
history to the ancient nobleman, as well as the wild Arab. 
This will be made more apparent hereafter. 

" Soon after the time of Alfred the Great, or about 
A. D. one thousand, it was decreed" (and from this 
something may be gathered of the relative value of the 
horse at that time) that if a horse was lost, or negli- 
gently destroyed, the compensation should be thirty shil- 
lings; a mare or colt, twenty shillings. About this time 
laws were passed which fixed the price of a foal at four- 
pence; at one year and a day old, at forty-eight pence; 



38 avery's own farrier. 

after which time it was to be broken and trained for the 
saddle or harness, when it was estimated at one hundred 
and twenty pence. 

In those days the purchaser was allowed time to as- 
certain whether the horse was free from three diseases, 
viz: He had three days to prove him for the staggers; 
three months to prove the soundness of his lungs, and 
one year to ascertain whether he was infected with the 
glanders. And for every blemish discovered after the 
purchase, one-third of the money was to be refunded, 
unless it proved to be a blemish of the ears or tail. — En- 
cyclopedia. 

In the time of Henry VIII, an English treatise on 
the management of the horse was written by Sir A. 
Fitzherbert, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which 
was the first of the kind ever written. The learned judge 
wrote thus: " Thou grasyer, thou may est fortune to be 
myne opinion or condytion to love horses, and young 
coltes and foles and go among these; take heed that thou 
be not beguyled as I have been an hundred tymes or 
more. And first, thou shalt know that a good horse has 
54 properties, viz: 2 of a man, 2 of a badger, 4 of a 
lion, 9 of an ox, 9 of a hare, 9 of a fox, 9 of an ass, 
and 10 of a woman." 

Later writers, in pirating from Sir A., have given the 
following description of the horse, which is well known 
to approximate the truth, viz: "A good horse should have 
three qualities of a woman; a broad breast, round hips 
and a long mane — three of a lion; countenance, courage 
and fire — three of a bullock; the eye, nostrils and joints — 
three of a sheep; the nose, gentleness and patience — three 



39 

of a mule; strength, constancy and foot — three of a 
deer; head, legs and short hair — three of a wolf; throat, 
neck and hearing— three of a fox; ear, tail and trot — 
three of a serpent; memory, sight and turning — and three 
of a hare or cat; running, walking or suppleness." 

I now give place to the following anecdotes (which 
are well authenticated), partly to show the love and 
great attachment of the Arab (as well as others) for the 
horse, as well as that of the horse for his master. 

Among all the studs* kept by the ancient noblemen, 
you will find that there was scarcely ever one found 
which was not kind and submissive to his master; the 
reason of this was because their mode of governing 
them was invariably that of kind treatment. The pas- 
sion of love, in all animals, when cultivated and fully 
developed, is even stronger than that of fear. 

When the Arab falls from his mare (observes Smith 
on breeding), and is unable to rise, she will stop and 
neigh until assistance arrives; if he lies down to sleep, 
as fatigue sometimes compels him, in the midst of the 
desert, she stands watchful over him, and neighs and 
arouses him if either man or beast approaches. 

An old Arab had a valuable mare that had carried him 
for fifteen years in many a hard fought battle, and in 
many a rapid, weary march. Although eighty years 
old, and unable longer to ride her, he gave her and a 
scimetar that; had been his father's, to his eldest son, and 
told him to appreciate their value, and never lie^down to 
rest until he had rubbed them both as bright as a look- 

* A collection of horses. 



40 avery's own fareiek. 

ing-glass. In the first skirmish that the young man was 
engaged in, he was killed, and the mare fell into the 
hands of the enemy. When the news reached the old 
man, he exclaimed, " Life is no longer worth preserving, 
for I have lost both my son and mare, and I grieve as 
much for one as the other;" and he immediately sick- 
ened and died. 

The following comes home to the bosom of every one 
possessed of common feeling. The whole stock of an 
Arab of the desert consisted of a mare. The French 
consul offered to purchase her in order to send her to his 
sovereign, Louis XIV. The Arab would have rejected 
the proposal at once with indignation and scorn, but he 
was miserably poor. He had no means of supplying his 
most urgent wants or procuring the barest necessaries of 
life. Still he hesitated; he had scarcely a rag to cover 
him, and his wife and children were starving; the sum 
offered was great; it would provide him and his family 
with food for life. At length, and reluctantly, he con- 
sented to the separation. He brought the mare to the 
dwelling of the consul; he dismounted and stood leaning 
upon her; he looked now at the gold, and then at his 
favorite; he sighed, he wept. " To whom is it," said he, 
" I am going to yield thee up? To Europeans, who will 
tie thee close — who will beat thee — who will render 
thee miserable! Return with me my beauty, my jewel; 
God preserve thee, my beloved; and rejoice the hearts of 
my children " — and then sprang upon her back, and was 
out of sight in a moment. Ah, jockey, think of this; 
did you ever part with a favorite that caused your wife 
and children to weep? 



avery's own farrier. 41 

Sir John Malcom, in his Sketches on Persia, gives 
several anecdotes, but of a more amusing character, one 
of which we will notice here. " When the envoy, return- 
ing from his former mission, was encamped near Bagdad, 
an old Arab rode a bright bay mare, of extraordinary 
shape and beauty, before his tent, until he attracted his 
attention. On being asked if he would sell her, ' What 
will you give me V was the reply; ' That depends upon 
her age; I suppose she is past five?' ' Guess again,' said 
he; 'Four?' 'Look at her mouth,' said the Arab with 
a smile. On examination she was found to be rising 
three. This, from her size and symmetry, greatly en- 
hanced her value. The envoy said, * I will give you 
fifty tomans (a coin nearly equal in value to a pound 
sterling);' ' A little more if you please,' said the fel- 
low, apparently entertained ; ' eighty, a hundred;' he 
shook his head and smiled. The offer at last came to 
two hundred tomans. ' Well,' said the^Arab, ' you 
need not tempt me further; it is of no use. You are a 
rich elchee; you have fine horses, camels and mules, and 
I am lold you have loads of silver and gold. Now,' 
added he, ' you want my mare, but you shall not have 
her for all you have got.' " 



42 avery's own farrter. 



CHAPTER II. 

It is not absolutely necessary that a man should under- 
stand physiology, or even anatomy, to be a pretty good 
horse doctor; but he should become acquainted with the 
nature of barks, buds, leaves, gums, and minerals, and 
understand their medicinal properties, before he pretends 
to know how to cure disease. It is safest and best to 
gather your own roots and vegetables for medicinal pur- 
poses, when convenient, for which directions will be 
found hereafter. Apothecaries are not. always to be de- 
pended on; therefore when you buy medicine it is better 
to buy it in the natural state and pulverize it yourself, 
to avoid being imposed upon by adulterated drugs. 

How to improve the condition of the Horse. — It may 
be proper to state here that stables should be comfortably 
warm; and another thing of some importance is good 
ventilation. When this is not attended to, the air is im- 
pregnated, not only with the emanations from the body, 
but with the gases that arise from the excrements. 
Light is also very essential; many a horse has lost his 
sight from being kept in dark stables. Stables are gene- 
rally too small; horses are often too much crowded, so 
much so as to make it extremely uncomfortable for them. 
It is better to have the stalls five feet wide, than only 
four, for they are often strained and otherwise injured by 
trying to get up in too narrow stalls. The horse requires 
a variety of food, as well as man; of which carrots and 
other roots afford an essential part, as they are of a very 
coolrng and succulent nature. 



43 

When you have a horse diseased in any way, treat him 
accordingly; but when you have one that is lean in flesh, 
and looks jaded, and coat stares, without any local 
disease, only been worked hard, and his fare still harder, 
and wish to improve his condition (or fat him), if kept 
up to dry food, give him in his food a spoonful of flour 
of sulphur three times a week; and if he is a very hearty 
eater (as they are quite apt to be, in this condition), I 
should not object to adding to the above as much black 
antimony as would lay on a ten cent piece, for the pur- 
pose of nauseating him a little; after which, twice or 
three times a week, give a little of the bark of sassafras, 
well pulverized, and a teaspoonful of ginger. This gives 
tone and action to the stomach, and is good to purify the 
blood; if you should think proper to bleed, do it but 
sparingly; if you feed Indian meal, make it into pudding 
(by scalding), and add a handful of oil meal. This gives 
him a very sleek coat. If oats are to be his food, add one- 
third as much wheat bran; give him plenty of exercise, 
and let his hay or straw be clean; you should begin with 
small feeds of grain, and increase by degrees. 

As a natural result, from the effects of colds, fevers, 
and hard fare, the impurities of the blood concentrate in 
the urine, causing the gelding to become foul in the sheath 
and yard. It is necessary to clean those parts, which may 
be done with warm water and hard soap, and followed 
by a little sweet oil or lard, for the horse cannot thrive 
well when foul; consequently it becomes one of the first 
things to be looked after in a horse that you wish to fat- 
ten. If his appetite is not good, take a piece of asa- 
fcetida, the size of a chestnut, and tie it on his bit, or in 



44 avery's own farrier. 

the bottom of the box where he eats his grain, with a 
clean linen rag. A free use of the card and brush, with 
a good bed, is also indispensable. By following these 
directions you will be likely to succeed belter than you 
will with turmeric, or colored pea flour, for it is seldom 
anything more^ and is fit only to give that yellow color 
to medicines that they have long been accustomed to. A. 
few seeds or drops of the oil of annis, to scent medicines, 
may do no harm. But aside from this, you can dispense 
with the bayberries, cardamon, coriander, diapente, fen- 
nel, fenugreek seeds, grains of paradise, horse-spice, and 
various others, which only encumber the shelves, and 
load the drinks of him of the old school, and should be 
banished from a rational farrier's prescription.* 

A horse may be fattened much cheaper when he runs 
out to grass than when kept upon dry food, for it requires 
less grain, and he will exercise himself, and needs no 
medicine, allowing the flies do not annoy him, in which 
case he will do better to be tied in the stable during the 
day time, and letting him run out nights. When kept up, 
green clover and green carrot tops are very beneficial, 
being a good substitute for the pasture. He should al- 
ways have clay and salt within his reach, and be allowed 
to lick what he pleases of it; and it is not unfrequently 
that this is the only alterative course needed. 

* For further particulars, see Condition Powders, how made, in 
No. 1, Recipes, &c, &c. 



avery's own farrier. 45 



CHAPTER III. 

A COLD. 



" It is not what people read that makes them learned, but 
what they remember." 

Young horses are most liable to take cold, although 
old ones are not exempt, and people are apt to look upon 
it with indifference; but there are few diseases incident 
to the horse, which do not more or less derive their 
origin from a cold. The causes are various, but the most 
common ones are that of driving them until they are 
warm and sweaty, and then allowing them to stand still 
where they are exposed to the cold air and wind. If 
they do not take a severe cold which settles on the lungs, 
it not unfrequently produces what is worse (in the hands 
of some), viz: founder. Removing them from hot 
stables to cold ones, often causes them to take cold, and 
if they have been high fed and clothed warm, the cold 
contracted in this way often proves very violent. This 
is the reason why horses so often catch a severe cold on 
their first coming out of the dealer's bands, or changing 
masters; they neglect to rub him until he is dry, or 
nearly so, before putting on his blanket, as they should, 
after driving him until he is warm and sweaty. 

Symptoms. — When a horse has taken cold, he will be 
heavy and dull in proportion to the severity of the dis- 
ease; his eyes will be watery, and after a day or two he 
will run at the nose (a thin mucous gleet) if the cold be 



46 avery's own farrier. 

violent; he will refuse his food and be troubled with dif- 
ficult breathing, and a cough will ensue. When a horse 
has a cold like this, his stomach becomes inactive, cold, 
and is filled, as well as the intestines, with canker, 
whereby the digestive powers are impaired, and he be- 
comes languid and dull, in proportion to the severity of 
the cold. Now the internal or vital heat is diminished, 
the skin becomes dry and husky, and fever begins by 
reason of the cold, for heat promotes life, and cold, 
death. Remove the cause by increasing the internal 
heat, until the stomach is clear of this canker, and you 
cause a free perspiration. Then the natural heat of the 
body is sufficient to do the rest, and nature will jog on 
as before anything happened to your horse. The most 
common practice in the case of colds, with a majority of 
farriers, has been to bleed. Now this, in my opinion, is 
very wrong. 

When farmers first turn out to pasture, as they gener- 
ally do in the morning, their horses sometimes contract 
colds by feeding through the day and lying down at 
night, that bring on other diseases, that return with 
them to the stable after grazing, some months. As a 
preventive, I would recommend turning them in pasture 
at evening, then they will feed throughout the night and 
lie down to rest at day time, and not be so likely to take 
cold on their first being turned out to pasture.* 

* After shedding the coat, or moulting, in the spring of the year, 
as they do, and especially if they are poorly clothed with flesh, they 
are but illy protected against the cold storms we often experience in 
this northern latitude, and had better lbe sheltered a few nights, or 
during these storms, than to run the risk of letting them run out. 



47 

Cure. — There are many things that are good for a 
cold, but I shall only mention here those I conceive to be 
the best. After clothing the horse warmly, take a tea- 
spoon full of cayenne pepper (for this contains the heat 
the longest) and put it into a quart of warm water, and 
give it to him, sweetened if you choose. Repeat once 
in two hours until it produces the desired effect, not 
neglecting to rub his limbs and body briskly. Then give 
him a moderate dose of aloes for physic, this will assist 
nature in cleansing the stomach and bowels of the canker. 
After the operation of the physic, it is w T ell to give a 
spoon full of ginger once or twice a day in his food or 
drink, for a Short time, to assist in keeping up the 
natural heat. For want of the cayenne, use half a gill 
of the hot drops, a recipe for which may be found in the 
list of medicines. A drench of sage or canker tea, will 
prove beneficial in this, as well as in many diseases of 
the horse. 



CHAPTER IV. 

CATARRH, ASTHMA AND COUGH. 
Long and hitter are the days that are counted by throbbing pain. 
There seems to be no end to the catalogue of diseases 
of the horse, under their present classification, and per- 
haps none have given rise to more perplexity among far- 
riers, than the above complaints, which are brought on 
by a neglected cold, or one of long standing, and are 
attended with nearly the same symptoms as a cold, as 



48 

described in the preceding chapter, Although there is 
this difference, in cases of catarrh, by holding your ear 
near the nostrils, and sometimes at a considerable distance, 
you will hear a rattling or gurgling sound in the head and 
throat, the flanks work more, while the horse appears to 
be in great distress at times, and will throw out of the 
nose and mouth chunks of white, tough phlegm, that 
frequently appear while he is in the act of drinking, 
with his head down, which relieves him very much for a 
time. A settled cough, alone, has given more perplexity 
than any other one disorder of the horse, and in fact it 
has often defied all attempts of art, and baffled the skill 
of the most experienced, and the horse has frequently 
become asthmatical or broken winded, in spite of all 
their efforts to the contrary. Sometimes it is owing to 
pleurisies or malignant fevers, which have left a taint on 
the lungs or other vessels; sometimes to small eruptions 
in the glands, which cause the lungs to enlarge, and a 
quantity of tough phlegm and mucilaginous juices to 
stuff up the glands and branches of the wind pipe, and 
sometimes to fleshy substances engendered in the large 
blood-vessels, for all these things hinder a free respira- 
tion and excite a cough. 

It is very difficult, sometimes, to determine what kind 
of a cough you have to contend with, which makes the 
cure more difficult and uncertain. If the cough be of 
long standing, attended with loss of appetite and flesh, 
and a general weakness, it denotes consumption, and that 
the lungs are full of tubercles. When the cough pro- 
ceeds from phlegm and mucilaginous matter, stuffing up 
the vessels of the lungs, the flanks have a sudden, quick 



49 

motion, the horse breathes thick, but not with his nostrils 
distended, like one that is broken-winded. Sometimes 
the cough will appear to be moist, and at others dry and 
husky. 

In cases where the catarrh appears to predominate, I 
would recommend for the cure, especially if the cough 
is dry and husky, to clothe the neck and head well, and 
give a dose of the cayenne pepper tea, or hot drops, 
every other morning, and every day between, give a 
teaspoonfull of the oil of tar (well mixed), with two 
ounces of brown sugar (this will cut the oil), adding 
nearly a quart of warm water; stir well, and horn the 
whole down the horse; and also, every day, steam his 
head by throwing a blanket over it, and holding his 
head over a box that contains a hot stone, and pour on 
to the stone vinegar or pepper sauce; continue this four 
days. When he has had two doses of each, and has 
been steamed four times, hold on tw T o or three days. It 
will be well to give, during the time, a handful of oil 
meal in his food, if at hand, or a plenty of wheat bran 
will do, for his food should be light and easy to digest 
(roots would not be amiss). After this fasting and medi- 
cine, repeat the pepper tea as before, and if there is any 
cough, in lieu of the oil of tar, give him half a pint of 
onion juice sweetened with loaf sugar, adding a little 
liquorice, and also grate into this drink a little skunk or 
wild cabbage root (previously dried, &c). If the cough 
should be obstinate after the first course of medicine, 
bleed twice in a week (sparingly), but not otherwise. 
If he should be any ways costive, his bowels should be 
kept open by mild physic — flour of sulphur for instance, 



50 

in small doses. If the above is persevered in, it is a 
certain cure. I never knew it to fail to cure the worst 
of chronic coughs. When the wild cabbage can not be 
obtained, you may use the lobelia seed, as a substitute, 
with good success. As a preventive from its running 
into glanders, use the ointment on the membrane of the 
nose, given under that head, and it will also aid in cur- 
ing this. 



CHAPTER V. 



LUNG FEVER. 

" It has been remarked, and, in truth it will apply to all latitudes 
and meridians, and to all countries, tropical and frigid, savage 
and civilized, that it is not what men get that makes them rich, 
but what they save." 

There are a great many horses lost by this disease 
that might be saved. The lung fever always makes its 
appearance by a chill; the horse will shake and tremble 
like a person with the ague. "While the chill is on, give 
him a strong dose of the hot drops, or of the pepper tea; 
or, if this be not at hand, give him half a pint of fine salt, 
dissolved in a quart of warm water. This will entirely 
relieve him of the chill and create a perspiration; but 
he will appear very sick for a short time, and then re- 
vive and be quite well, when it will be well to give him 
a dose of the peppermint and camphor. But if you 
should not discover him while the chill is on, and the 
fever has commenced, it will require different treatment 
altogether. Then you must bleed copiously; it is the 
only alternative to save the lungs from becoming tainted* 



51 

for which there is no cure. You should take from a 
gallon to a gallon and a half of blood, according to the 
severity of the case, from the neck vein, after which, 
let him inhale the steam from saltpetre dissolved in 
water, and turned on a hot stone or shovel under his 
nose. Now see that he is well rubbed and clothed, and 
then a little ginger and asafoetida in his food will be 
beneficial. His food should be light for a few days, 
and he should enjoy rest. 

The symptoms in lung fever are different from those of 
most other diseases. In this disease the horse seldom, if 
ever, lies down after the fever has commenced until he 
dies, unless he is relieved. He is stiff and sore all over, 
and stands with his fore legs as wide apart as possible, 
so as to give all the room he can to the lungs. Some- 
times he will go two or three days after the chill leaves 
him before he will give out; but he will be weak, his 
breath will smell bad, the excrement hard and slimy. 



CHAPTER VI. 



HEAVES. 
" Diet cures more than the Doctor." 

The first step towards curing any disease, should be 
to find out where and what it is, for where there is no 
enemy there can be no war. There have been a great 
many recipes given, and medicines compounded, for the 
cure of this disease; and in connection with other coughs 
(for they are looked upon by many all alike), it has 



52 avery's own farrier. 

baffled the skill of as many farriers as any other one dis- 
ease of the horse. One reason of this is, because it has 
been so little understood. Some have contended that it 
was in the throat, and others that it was on the lungs, 
&c. I will endeavor to describe it so that you will get 
my views of it at least. 

There are two pipes, one leading to the stomach and 
the other to the lungs. Where they meet there is a sort 
of valve, known as the throttle valve. A hearty eater 
(for they are the most liable to this complaint) in eating 
coarse and dry food, irritates this place, then by a hard 
drive, and being exposed to the cold, it becomes swollen, 
and finally becomes a running sore or canker, for you 
never saw a horse that w T as fed on straw or cut feed, 
that was wet or well moistened, get the heaves. If it 
was seated on the lungs, the horse would become weak 
and tire out when put to work, which is not the case; 
besides it would create inflammation and kill him at once. 

Now you turn a horse out to pasture a few days, 
that has simply got the heaves, and you will see 
nothing of it. Then you put him up to dry hay 
one night, and let him drink cold water, and he will 
heave as bad as ever. Now has the hay or water touched 
the lungs ? No; but it has touched the parts affected. 
The philosophy of it is simply this: the grass is cooling 
and healing, and has allayed the inflammation in those 
parts; the horse breathes free and easy again, and the 
wound is partially healed under those circumstances. If 
he should always be allowed this kind of diet, he would 
not need any medicine to cure this disease, would he ? 
You allow him moistened straw with his meal, plenty of 



avery's own farrier. 53 

roots cut fine, wheat bran (or even the flour), and you 
will not see any heaves,* and he will do as much work 
as though he were sound, and yet it is very desirable to 
cure him of this disease if possible, for it is more trouble 
and costs more to feed him in this way, besides it lessens 
his value, for he is not a sound horse. 

Some people class the heaves with the diseases de- 
sciibed in the foregoing chapters, for both excite a 
cough, but very different in character. The organs 
affected are quite different. With heaves, the breath is 
longer, and the flanks are worked with more of a sudden 
jerk than they are in the former diseases. Now, in order 
to cure the horse of this disease, let him have food that 
will favor the object, and, in the first place, feed him one 
or two quarts of wheat flour every morning, with equal 
parts, say a teaspoonfull of each, of cream tartar and 
soda, occasionally omitting the soda, and in lieu thereof, 
use calcined magnesia. Prepare this in any way that 
the horse will eat it best. Every other evening give 
the following: One teaspoonfull of balsam of fir, one 
tablespoonful of honey, and a half teaspoonfull of pul- 
verized lobelia seed, either in drink or made into a ball 
with flour. This course will cure most cases of heaves 
entirely if continued two or three weeks. You should 
also wet his hay or straw, and add a handful of brown 

* If you feed dry hay, do not allow the horse more than eight or 
ten pounds per day at most, if heavey, for he will eat more than will 
digest well, and this irritates the stomach, and induces heaves. But 
what is better, are corn stalks, for he eats those slower, masticates 
them better, and he does not eat more of them than will digest in 
the stomach. 



54 avery's own farrier. 

sugar to his meal or bran for a short time, and be careful 
about letting him drink too much cold water at a time, 
not allowing him to drink what he wants at any time, 
except evening, after his day's work is done. A roasted 
onion of convenient size given daily as a ball, will have 
a very salutary effect on this disease. 



CHAPTER VII. 

FOUNDER. 

Try it and be convinced before you call it a humbug. 

Founder is a contraction of the muscles, whereby the 
coffin muscles suffer most. They lie within and extend 
to the circle of the hoof (which contracts with the 
muscle), and if relief is not found immediately, the horse 
is rendered unfit for a roadster. And any one being so 
unfortunate as to founder his horse, even on a journey or 
elsewhere, need never lay by in consequence of the worst 
founder, more than two or three hours at the most. 

I am well aware that there is a disagreement about 
what causes founder; nevertheless, I have my opinion 
with the rest. The most common one is drinking cold 
water, when hot; but a horse that is fatigued, warm, or 
sweaty, and exposed to the cold air or wind> will often 
founder because he receives a sudden chill. Grain is 
stimulating and will not founder a horse of itself; it may 
create an unusual heat of the body by eating too much 
at a time, and then, by exposure to the cold air, be more 



avery's own farrier. 55 

liable to founder for eating the grain. Heat expands 
and cold contracts, as every one knows. 

Any time within forty-eight hours after a horse is 
foundered, the Indian Remedy is sure to give relief 
(and no mistake), for I have had frequent opportunities 
of seeing it tested, without a single failure. Some may 
laugh and sneer at this mode of curing a founder, be- 
cause they can not -refute it in any other way. It may 
seem mysterious to others, and I am not prepared to say 
what its peculiar properties are, unless it is the electri- 
city it contains; but the more we learn of nature and 
her laws, the plainer those things appear to us. 

Cure. — As soon as you find that your horse is foun- 
dered (which you may know by his being stiff and sore, 
and hardly able to use his fore legs, or keep them under 
him), take a sharp pointed pen knife and split the wart 
that is to be found on the back part of the fetlock joint 
of the fore leg, so as to get a spoonfull, say, of blood 
from each, by making the incision up and down with the 
leg. Then lead him to some convenient place for the 
purpose, and let him stand in brook or pond water, about 
half way to his knees, two hours. Now lead him back to 
the stable, and bathe his forward legs in warm ^vater, 
and rub him well, which will get up a perspiration, and 
assist in relaxing the muscles. Then give him in food, 
or ball, or any way you can best, a small handful or lock 
of hair, taken from the lower part of the abdomen of the 
human body (of either sex), and your horse will be as 
well and limber in a short time as though there had 
nothing happened to him (except the weakness occa- 
sioned for the time being), and what is more remarkable, 



56 

this remedy will cure him perfectly under all circumstan- 
ces; and the horse cured in this way seldom if ever has 
been known to be foundered a second time. 

Founder in the first place, or what causes it, is a high 
state of inflammation, which causes contraction after- 
wards, and in the early stages of the complaint, this 
remedy relieves them entirely of the inflammation. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

BOTS AND WORMS. 

" May it prove harmless for evil, and powerful for good." 
Much has been said concerning bots and worms, and 
almost every one has a different remedy from his neigh- 
bor, and yet there are a great many horses destroyed by 
them every year, and many more are kept lean and weak 
by those vermin, their owners not knowing what the 
difficulty is. I have opened horses that have died with 
bots, some of which have had their stomachs eaten en- 
tirely through, being perforated like a riddle; others 
have had the inner coating of the guts eaten nearly off, 
in places. I know the above to be facts in the case, not- 
withstanding what others have or may say to the con- 
trary. It is well known that horses, having many w y orms, 
can not thrive w T ell or carry much flesh. Now if the 
breeding of worms and bots were prevented, it would add 
much to the strength and usefulness of the animal; and 
when you have read this chapter through you will know 
how to do it effectually. 



avery's own farrier. 57 

Symptoms, indicating worms, are various, as there are 
different kinds of those vermin, occupying different parts 
of the body. Sometimes the horse is lean and jaded, 
his coat rough and staring, and sometimes there is a 
white fur to be seen on the end of the straight gut, and 
at other times he froths and drools at the mouth when 
driven (without any evident cause to many), and, though 
he has a remarkable appetite, he does not thrive. Now 
my medicine and preventive will kill and destroy the 
whole family of intestinal worms and bots, of every kind 
and description. 

Cause of Bots. — It is well known that there is a large 
fly, resembling the wasp (and called by some the bot fly), 
that is continually teasing the horse in hot weather in 
summer, and continually depositing its nits or eggs in 
innumerable quantities about the legs, neck and breast of 
the horse. These are taken into the stomach by his nip- 
ping and biting, and there they are hatched and trans- 
muted into bots, which so much annoy him afterwards. 
Some may doubt this, and to those I would say, just try 
the experiment of taking some of these nits from the 
horse's legs in warm weather in summer, and put them 
in the hollow of the hand, add spittle warm from the 
mouth, then place the thumb of the other hand upon 
them and sit quietly one hour, in which time they will 
hatch and crawl on your taking your thumb off from them, 
and I doubt not if they were kept in the right tempera- 
ture, Well moistened, that in a few hours you might see 
the full-grown bot. They are most likely to trouble the 
horse soon after he is first turned to pasture, and when 
he is put up; although any derangement of the stomach 



58 

will set them at their destructive work at any time of the 
year. 

Symptoms. — He will suddenly stop eating, look around, 
often bite his side and breast, lie down and quickly rise 
again; sometimes when down will roll quite on his back 
and be in great distress, for then the bot is boring into 
the maw or bowels; sometimes they catch hold of the 
straight gut, as they pass along, and work there. When 
this is the case the horse's motions denote the seat of 
pain, for he will put his nose back towards the hips and 
tail. 

Cure. — Take as much alum as will dissolve in a quart 
of warm water, and turn it down the horse; and if there 
are any signs of their troubling him behind, give as a 
glyster, the same as above; after two or ihree hours give 
physic. This is the most certain remedy that can be 
given, and is sure to save your horse if the bots have not 
eaten quite through the maw or stomach. A piece of 
weasel skin with the fur on, the size of the palm of your 
hand, is also very good to make them let go; it will not 
kill them, but is good for inflammation, &c. 

MY PREVENTIVE FOR BOTS AND WORMS. 
"A word to the wise is sufficient." 

Take a strong solution of alum and wash all the parts 
on which there are any nits; this acts chemically upon 
the egg and destroys the fecundating property of them, 
so that they will never hatch whether they are in or out 
of the stomach. When you put your horse up, after the 
season is over for this fly, give a piece of alum, well 
pulverized, the size of a walnut, in his food for a few 



59 

days; this also, will destroy any that might be in the 
stomach, and your horse will be secure from all those 
things called bots, worms and grubs. And it is perfectly 
harmless to the horse, in every sense of the word. I 
have taken the maw out of horses that had been killed 
by bots, while the bots were still alive and at work in 
them, and experimented with a great many kinds of 
medicine on them, and found that alum water will kill 
them quicker than anything else that I ever tried. It 
may seem, strange to some, and yet it is true, that it 
will kill them quicker than boiling water. It neutralizes 
the gases of the stomach in a peculiar manner, which is 
as destructive to the bot as though they were imbued 
in it. 

Some may say, after this remedy has afforded imme- 
diate relief, that they must have been mistaken in what 
ailed the horse, because they did not see any bots or 
worms come from him. Let me say to those, that it is 
one of the peculiar properties of the stomach not to des- 
troy or digest animal life, otherwise it would destroy 
itself; but this remedy kills the bots without injury to 
the stomach, when they are digested with the food he 
eats, consequently, they are not seen as they pass off. 
And then this remedy cuts and crisps them up in such a 
manner that they are never more to be seen. 



60 



CHAPTER IX. 

SLOBBERING IN SUMMER AT PASTURE. 

Causes. — Mr. Mason (and others agree with him) con- 
tends that it is by eating the spider web that is found 
so plentifully spread over our pastures. Now, if this 
were so, why don't they slobber at all seasons of the 
year when this web is to be found? They never slobber 
in the early part of summer, and then this web is to be 
found most plentifully. I contend that it is the white 
clover, after it begins to dry up, that causes the horse to 
slobber, for then it is that he commences to slobber, and, 
as soon as it is gone, towards fall or autumn, he ceases 
to do so. And then you watch the horse and see how 
carefully he avoids these webs, when he is feeding near 
them. The clover has the property of salivating them 
to a remarkable degree, while feeding on other green 
food. Sometimes horses slobber so bad when they run 
out to pasture, that they will grow poor, even in good 
feed, besides rendering them very unpleasant to handle. 

Cure. — To prevent their slobbering, you must either 
put them up to dry food, or give them what they will 
eat (every day) of equal parts of pulverized alum and 
fine salt, which will prevent this difficulty, and also from 
being troubled with worms. 

To Destroy Lice. — Wash the horse with a strong 
solution of alum, and it is an effectual remedy to destroy 
lice, that so much hinders the growth of colts; a strong 
solution of aloes is good for a like purpose, as well as a 



avery's own farrier. 61 

strong tea made of cayenne pepper. It is too well known, 
that colts having many lice on them can not thrive 
well, for me to say anything about it, further than to 
give a remedy that will destroy them, which is the great 
desideratum in the case. Two washings, four days 
apart, is sufficient to kill the nits. 



CHAPTER X. 

SCRATCHES, OR GREASE. 

<k Small things, make larger ones." 

This is a very troublesome disease in horses ; and un- 
less cured immediately on being discovered, it soon 
renders them unfit for use, and will be the more difficult 
to cure. 

Cause. — Exposure to wet and cold weather, fevers 
and the like, and not having their feet and legs properly 
cleaned after being driven in the mud, leaving a sluggish 
circulation, whereby the extremities suffer most, creat- 
ing heat (fever) in the heels, &c. 

Symptoms. — The legs swell, the heels look red, crack, 
and become very sore, and the horse is pained on being 
exercised ; and finally grows lamer until he is unfit for 
service. 

Cure. — If of long standing, and bad, take from two to 
three quarts of blood from the neck vein ; repeat if ne- 
cessary in a week's time; give daily, doses of sulphur 
in small quantities, and an ounce of oil of sassafras, in 
6 



62 avery's own farrier. 

four or five doses, two clays apart. This will serve to 
thin and purify his blood. If the heels are hot and much 
inflamed, poultice them with dry ginger (or wet it with 
vinegar). This will take out the inflammation. Then 
take half a pint of Boston rum, add to this an ounce of 
blue vitriol and two ounces of loaf sugar (which will 
bear filling up with the rum), as you use it, wash the 
heels with this, two or three times a day, until cured; 
shake well before using. In ordinary cases, this wash 
is all that is necessary to effect a cure. The green salve 
is also an excellent thing for cracked heels, and many 
other sores. It may be made by taking half a pound of 
hog's lard, and adding an ounce of pulverized blue vi- 
triol: mix, and it is fit for use. 

Swelling and Inflammation. — This is caused by taking 
cold after castration, other wounds, &c. Bind on a 
large poultice made of clay and vinegar, or a quantity 
of green burdock leaves, wilted in hot vinegar. This 
will sweat the parts it is applied to, and take the swel- 
ling and inflammation all out. When a swelling is 
going to matterate, and you want to bring it to a head 
or rot it, poultice it wilh the following (if it is not ex- 
pedient to use the lance): Take warm water, shave 
into it hard soap, stir until you have a very stiff lather, 
thicken with wheat flour and bind it on the swelling. 
There is still another kind of poultice that is very good 
in some cases, but rather milder than the above. Take 
carrots and have them grated fine, a like quantity of 
charcoal well pulverized, mix them together, and then 
add yeast enough to make the whole pliable; to be ap- 
plied warm. All poultices should be kept warm and 



avery's own farrier. 63 

moist, by often changing them, otherwise they do more 
hurt than good. 

Wounds and old Sores. — To cleanse and take out 
fungus or proud flesh in wounds and old sores, syringe 
them out with blue vitriol and rum. When this is not 
sufficient, lay on the fungus part scrapings of an old 
powder horn for a few hours, after which apply the rum 
and vitriol again. To heal, use the healing salve which 
is made in the following manner : Take honey, rosin 
and balsam of fir, about equal parts; add a little lard if 
you choose. This will be found to be first rate for 
healing, in cases where it does not do its work too fast. 

For Burns. — Now it sometimes happens that horses 
get badly burned, and a burn requires different treatment 
from other wounds, therefore I will tell you how to heal 
a burn. If you should be so unfortunate as to have one 
on yourself, or on your horse, which you wish to heal 
quick, take the pussy tails that grow on the top of the 
blue or swamp flag, pick it up fine, then mix it with 
fresh lard and apply it to the burn. If this heals too 
fast on the surface (leaving the sore unsound under- 
neath), then add an ounce of litharge to half a pound 
of the lard, simmer down a little over a slow fire, and 
when cold apply to the sore. This seldom fails of heal- 
ing the worst of burns. When partially healed, dress 
the wound occasionally w r ith sweet oil, to assist in restor- 
ing the hair. 

For Stiff Joints and Callouses. — Take the bark of 
sumach root, put it in brandy, add oil of angle-worms, 
and shake well before using. Use once a day, spar- 
ingly. This is a very powerful liniment. 



64 

Here is another that is very useful, but more mild. 
Take eight ounces of oil of turpentine, four ounces of 
Barbadoes, four drachms of the oil of rosemary; dissolve 
in water, add two drachms of sal ammoniac, then mix all 
together, and apply twice a day until it gives relief. 

Liniment for Bruises, Sprains and Ulcers. — Take one 
pint of good alcohol, one drachm of blue vitrol, two 
drachms of camphor gum, two drachms of saltpetre, two 
drachms of the tincture of gum myrrh, pulverize and 
mix all together, let it stand twelve hours, and shake 
well before using. 

Here is another for a like purpose, which is a very 
stimulating and useful one. Take equal parts of the oil 
of origanum and the oil of wormwood, add sufficient 
alcohol to cut the oils. Good also for windgall, oselets, 
splints, ringbones, &c. 



CHAPTER XI. 



THE FEET. 

" Time and the ever changing world, are the great baskets 
from which we pick wisdom and amusement as we go." 

I must say a few words now about the feet. In cases 
of old founders, corns and other wounds, caused by bad 
shoeing, &c, the hoofs become contracted and full of 
fever, which makes the horse almost a cripple for road 
service. To remedy this, some people stuff the feet with 
cow manure. This should never be done, for if you 
take a well horse and stuff his feet in this mariner for 



65 

two or three successive nights, it will create a fever in 
them; but when you have occasion to stuff the feet, do it 
with clay well moistened with vinegar, and you may add 
a little spirits of turpentine; this will draw out the fever 
and leave the hoof in a more healthy state, which is 
what you desire. You can soften the hoof by rubbing on 
soft soap d but you should not let it touch the hair above. 

In cases of old founders and contractions of the hoof, 
you can improve them very much, and sometimes cure 
them entirely, by bathing the legs with hot water every 
day for some two weeks; this relaxes the muscles (if the 
stiffness proceeds from a soreness of the chest, feed a 
handfull of sunflower seed during the time), and thus by 
using anything that will cause the hoof to grow fast, 
gives relief, and when you have got a new hoof, the 
horse will be well and sound again as ever. 

You can grow on an entire new hoof in a few weeks 
by adhering strictly to the following directions: At a 
season of the year when you can obtain it (or you can 
make it into a salve and keep for use), gather from the 
field as it is growing, green wheat before it heads out; 
take a quantity of this and boil it in greasy pot liquor 
until it is thick and salvy; then anoint the hoof often 
with it, and for a day or two at first bind on some of it 
that is not boiled so much. If the above can not be ob- 
tained, use the following mixture: Take equal parts of 
white pine turpentine and fresh lard; melt them together, 
and add, before using, enough of spirits of turpentine to 
have it spread easy, and bathe the hoof several times a 
day with this, rubbing it well around the hoof and close 



66 avery's own farrier. 

to the hair; melt some of the same two or three times a 
week, and pour it on the bottom of the hoof. 

I have seen horses very lame in consequence of being 
corked badly in the feet, having split hoofs, &c, and 
otherwise disfigured by bunches and callouses. To remedy 
those evils, in the first place see that the wounds are free 
from dirt and hair, for if there is any of these left in the 
wound it will have to fester and work them out before it 
can heal,, which takes much longer than to have the 
wound clean at the start, besides being very painful to 
the horse. When this has been done, then a very good 
application is to melt tar and tallow together, and turn 
it into the wound quite hot, or if you wish to use the 
horse, melt tallow and India rubber together; this forms 
a paint or coating that is impervious to dirt or water; 
then you may drive him every day, if you choose, with- 
out fearing any bad results from the wound, only on 
coming in at night you should drop a little spirits of some 
kind into the wound to prevent his getting cold in it. 
But if you are not going to use him at all, and wish to 
heal it faster, apply the healing salve, and you will not 
have any blemish left. 

To cure a split in the hoof, you have only to take a 
sharp-pointed knife and cut through the hoof crosswise, 
just above the split; you need not cut more than half an 
inch in length; now rub on some of the hoof ointment, 
and it will grow smooth and sound. By observing the 
above rules, and seeing that your horse's feet are not in- 
jured by bad shoeing, you will do better than a great 
many have done before you. What is a fine looking 
horse good for if he has no feet? 



67 

Shoeing. — A few hints on shoeing may possibly be of 
some use. Some horses, that are otherwise very good 
ones, have flat feet (which is very objectionable), and 
others with very thin and tender hoofs, are oftentimes 
materially injured by bad shoeing. The smiths frequently 
pare too much off from the heel and frog of the foot, 
which are the natural braces and support of the foot. 
By paring this part of the foot away it lets it nearer the 
ground (that is the sensitive part thereof), and makes it 
more liable to get bruised on stones and other hard sub- 
stances, causing corns and thrush; besides this, when it 
is taken off too much in proportion to the toe, it is very 
straining to the pasterns, often causing lameness there. 

Interfering is another fault that some horses are very lia- 
ble to, especially young ones, before they get spread in the 
quarters, because they tire quicker and do not travel so 
wide, and the smiths often make them worse by the man- 
ner in which they are in the habit of shoeing them, in 
paring too much off the heel and inside of the hoof, and 
making the inside cork of the shoe the shortest. This 
certainly throws the foot in when they take it up, instead 
of out, which causes them to cut the more. The hoof 
should be pared off most on the outside and toe, and have 
the inside cork quite as long, or longer than the other. 
This throws the foot out, and they are not so likely to 
strike the other with it while traveling; they seldom 
strike with the cork, but generally with the spern, or side 
of the shoe; although the paring on the outside should 
not be done to that extent as to turn the foot so much as 
to strain or otherwise injure the joints above. Much has 
been said and written about the form of the shoe, but 



68 

much more depends on the manner in which it is set than 
the form thereof. But I will not dwell on this point, as 
it is not my trade; and yet I can not but wish that every 
horse shoer was a good farrier, or at least understood the 
feet better than they generally do. More will be said on 
this subject hereafter. The horse that does not interfere 
before he is shod should not afterwards. 

To take off Wind Galls. — Wash often, until the puffs 
are gone, with blood root steeped in vinegar; or use oil 
of wormw T ood freely until it has the desired effect. It 
may sometimes be necessary to lay on a little blistering 
ointment, and bandage tight as you can and not pain the 
horse. 



CHAPTER XII, 

" What is worthless, dies — what is pernicious, sickens, faints, 
and has no influence — while the wholesome and sound, the 
just and true, lives." 

FOR SPRAINS, BRUISES, BITES, AND SWELLINGS ON THE LEGS. 

In recent injuries of this kind on the legs, as well as 
in rheumatic difficulties in the legs, and sometimes in 
the back, the horse has no power to raise the limb or 
throw it forward at all. Now why is it so? The 
mucles are as strong and powerful as ever, and still he 
has no use of the limb. 

I must be allowed to introduce a comparison here to 
illustrate this idea. Supposing you were in Albany, and 
wished to send a telegraphic communication to Utica; 
but the wire being disconnected at Little Falls (which is 



avery's own farrier. 69 

situated between the places above spoken of), you may 
keep sending in vain, without getting a reply from the 
Utica folks. Why ? The telegraph wire is broken and 
all communication between the two places cut off. 

The brain of the horse (as well as that of man) is the 
great battery, or source of every motion of the body and 
limbs. The nerves are the telegraph wires, running from 
the brain to every part of the body susceptible of motion; 
thus, he wills the foot to move, and it does so (and not 
till then). But when the nerves are injured in any way, 
so that they do not perform their proper office, the tele- 
graph wire is broken as it were, and the nerves, together 
with the cords and muscles, lay dormant and inactive. 
When you restore the nerves to their wonted office, 
which is to convey intelligence from the brain to every 
other part, the whole machinery is set in motion again 
as before. I have seen the nerves affected in this way 
by the bite of dogs, and often by corks and taking cold. 
The safest, the surest, and the most speedy remedy for 
this is the following: 

Cure — W 7 isp up hay or straw into a kind of rope, and 
wind the leg with it from the hoof to the body (or above 
the swelling if possible); then let a stream of cold water 
run in at the top of this, and next to the leg, for an hour 
or two, or until you create a perspiration; then rub the 
limb until nearly dry, remembering to always rub a 
swelling of any kind towards the extremities. This will 
take the swelling and inflammation entirely out; after 
which wash the parts with wormwood steeped in vine- 
gar or camphoretted spirits, which is all that will be ne- 
cessary in most cases of this nature. Yet should it ever 



70 

fail of having the desired effect in full, all you have to 
do then is to apply to the limb what may be found in the 
after part of this work, under the head of Lightning 
Liniment, which will perfect the cure. 

To destroy Lice on Colts. — It is well known to every 
farmer that horses or colts can not thrive well if they are 
lousy; and it will only be necessary for me to prescribe 
a remedy that will effectually destroy them. This can 
be done by washing every part of the horse affected with 
the vermin, with a strong solution of aloes, and giving 
him a spoonfull of sulphur for a few days. But it will 
be necessary to repeat the washing after about four days, 
and perhaps a third time, in order to destroy those that 
were not hatched at the first washing. Alum may also 
be used for this purpose, with good success; and if you 
could be sure of touching every louse and nit with this 
last wash, one application would be sufficient; but the 
thick coat of hair on colts will prevent this. By being 
thorough with either of the above, you will in a very 
short time improve his condition, increase his growth, 
and thereby enhance his value. Then you can dispense 
with the use of unguentum, which is so poisonous, and 
the snuff and oil, and the tobacco, which is so weaken- 
ing and sickening to your animals. 

BLIND STAGGERS, OR APOPLEXY. 

This is a very dangerous disease, and the horse often 
dies with the first attack. 

Symptoms. — He reels and generally falls; if he sur- 
vives and gets up he sometimes appears very weak, reel- 
ing as he goes; while at other times he will be very 



avery's own farrier. 71 

reckless and mad. The cause is too great a determina- 
tion or rush of blood to the head, thus affecting the 
brain, and causing the above named fits. 

Cure. — Immediately on seeing that he has a fit of this 
kind, take a gallon of blood from the neck vein; also 
split the skin of the forehead two or three inches in 
length up and down; peel the skin back a little, and fill 
the wound with fine salt and pepper; then close the 
wound, and keep it so by means of two or three stitches. 
Moderate exercise in the open air will not hurt him, if 
the weather should be favorable. After about ten hours, 
give nearly a pint of linseed oil, adding half an ounce 
of sassafras oil. Should he become costive after the 
operation of the above, give small doses of sulphur for a 
few days, and let his food be simple and digestible. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



The philosopher Dan says, if a man is poor, all he has to do 
to become rich, is to reverse the action by increasing his income, 
and diminishing his outlays. This applies, with the same force, 
to diseases. Reverse the action by removing the cause, and 
nature will do her work again; and health is restored. 

HORSE DISTEMPER. 

This is a disease that all colts are liable to, and it is 
also very contagious; but if attended to in time, it can 
be cured without much trouble, or any bad effects arising 
from it, and even without their swelling and breaking 



72 

in the throat at all, which often causes thick wind. The 
swelling and breaking in the throat, leaves a callous 
where the opening in the throat existed (more to the 
injury of the horse w 7 hen it breaks on the inside); then 
by checking the horse up, there is not room for the 
wind, and he wheezes, but as soon as he stops and is 
unchecked, he breathes easily again. 

As a preventive for distemper, give daily doses (in 
small quantities) of gum asafcetida, and about twice a 
week, a spoonfull of sulphur. 

The character of this disease may be ascertained by the 
horse being troubled to drink unless it is held up to him, 
and having what some call a dry or tight cough. 

Cure. — First, bleed freely; then take a piece of cloth 
large enough to double several times, leaving it some 
six or eight inches square; wet this in cold water and 
salt, and bring it closely up to the jaws and throat, and 
fasten by means of a bandage running over the head and 
neck; change it often for one newly wet; keep the bow- 
els open by feeding sulphur or aloes in bran, together 
with a small quantity of asafcetida, and you will have 
no further trouble. But if he should be neglected until 
he refuses his food, and his throat is badly swollen, it 
will be necessary to bleed copiously, and apply hot fo- 
mentations (of bitter herbs) to the throat, which will 
prevent its breaking on the inside, and often effect a 
speedy cure. 

BLACK TONGUE. 

The celebrated veterinary surgeon, Richard Mason of 
Virginia, strenuously recommended the constant use of the 



avery's own farrier. 73 

gum asafcetida in this dreadful disease, as a preventive 
of this, as well as other contagious diseases; and further 
says, he owes his success in preventing and. curing this 
disorder, to the constant use of this drug. The value of 
asafcetida, as a medicine for the horse, has been but little 
known; but where it has been once properly used, its 
remarkable effects will prove this observation correct. 
It acts as a stimulant, antispasmodic, expectorant and 
anthelmintic, while its action is quiet and penetrating. 
Where a small piece of asafcetida has been placed in the 
manger of a horse that was in health, I have known him 
to occupy a stall for months adjoining one in which was 
a horse affected with a contagious disease, without being 
in the least affected, or any ill consequences resulting 
therefrom. 

Preventive. — Take one ounce of asafcetida, divide into 
two parts, wrap them in clean linen rags, and nail one 
of them in the bottom of the bucket from which the horse 
is watered, and the other in the manger where he is fed. 
A small piece confined to his bit when he goes from 
home, will act as a preventive against taking colds and 
all contagious diseases. 

Cure.— When the disease has commenced, take one 
pint of castor oil, one ounce of balsam copaiva, one 
ounce of sweet spirits of nitre; let these ingredients be 
well mixed in a bottle and given. 

A Wash for the Mouth.— Take one pint of vinegar, 
four ounces of alum, a piece of verdigris as large as a 
common sized bean, and a handfull of sage; let the sage 
be steeped in a pint of warm water, in which also dis- 
solve the alum and verdigris. Use this as a wash 
7 



74 

for the mouth, two or three times a day, until the cure is 
effected. 

THE USE OF BLANKETS FOR THE HORSE. 
An ounce of preventive, is worth a pound of cure. 
The great difficulty with the horse, in this respect, is 
the liability he is subject to by sudden changes from heat 
to cold, and from cold to heat; and when a horse is very 
hot, or very cold, he should be allowed to come to his 
natural feeling and warmth by degrees, for he is as often 
injured by being too hot, as by being too cold. Now a 
horse should never be driven until he is warm and 
sweaty, and then allowed to stand in the cold wind (with 
or without a blanket) until he gets chilly. Blankets are 
very necessary and useful if properly used, but, if not so 
employed, they had better not be used at all. Some 
people do great injury to their horses with them, while 
intending to benefit their horses; for instance, when a 
horse has been driven until he is quite hot, they will, im- 
mediately after stopping him, put on a blanket, and 
sometimes two or three, or perhaps a buffalo robe; this 
confines all the sweat and steam to the body, which is 
very injurious to the lungs, &c, often causing the horse 
to take cold, and leave him with a settled cough — and 
thus they kill him with kindness; but when a horse 
comes in heated in this way, he should be well rubbed, 
and allowed to stand until the perceptible evaporation 
has nearly escaped from the body, and then covered up 
with a good blanket before they begin to feel cold; they 
will thereby be benefited, and saved from many diseases 
that arise from an untimely use of the blanket. 



75 

To prevent Flies from teasing Horses. — Take sorrel 
leaf, about in the proportion of tea, and steep in water. 
Clean the horse, and then, with a sponge, wash him 
thoroughly before going out. Walnut leaves or penny- 
royal soaked over night, then boiled, and applied in the 
above manner, will answer a like purpose. 

Warts< — Colts, while growing, sometimes have warts 
come on them, which very much disfigure and hurt their 
looks, if they do not otherwise injure them. I have 
known the owner of one of these animals say he would 
give ten dollars if he knew how to take off that wart, 
and not hurt the horse. My remedy will not cost you 
ten cents to take off the largest wart you ever saw. 

They can be removed thus: take a quantity of ash 
bark off the tree commonly known as the swamp ash, 
which, on being reduced to ashes, and applied once in 
twenty-four hours, wet, in the form of a poultice, will 
in a few days remove the excrescence; in repeating, the 
ashes covering the wart should be carefully removed by 
washing it with soap suds made of hard soap; when it 
is eaten entirely out, then dress it as you would any other 
wound, to heal it up. This is much safer than to use the 
knife. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



FOR WEAKNESS ACROSS THE LOINS, OR DERANGEMENT OF 
THE URINARY ORGANS, AND GRAVEL OR STONE IN THE 
BLADDER. 

In cases of this kind, people are very apt to mistake, 
or err in judgment, as to the real cause of the animal's 



76 avery's own farrier. 

pain and difficulty, for it requires a pretty thorough 
knowledge of the diseases of the horse, to distinguish 
this from some other complaints. In ordinary cases of 
this nature, however, there will be an apparent weakness 
and stiffness of the hind parts, not unfrequently accom- 
panied with a general tremor or trembling of the whole 
body. This perhaps would not have occurred, if the 
horse had eaten a small dose of rosin in his food at any 
time within a week previous to his being taken, which 
in all probability would have served as a preventive. 
And in many cases, this is all that is required to set him 
right afterwards; although it may be necessary some- 
times to do something more for him, which depends upon 
what and where the difficulty is. 

The causes are various that bring on these difficulties. 
It is sometimes caused by the horse being either 
strained, heated, or over-doing, and then taking cold, 
which settles across the kidneys — causing inflammation 
there, while the water will look quite red. When he 
continues in this way any considerable time, without 
finding relief, the organs, which he opens and closes at 
will, become irritated and swollen, so that they do not 
perform their office. The passage often becomes closed 
so that he urinates with great difficulty, or not at all — or, 
in other words, the bladder does not contract sufficiently 
to void the urine, which increases the inflammation, and 
causes them to swell and become very sore, and the 
animal is in great pain, making frequent efforts to urin- 
ate, and if he voids any it will be very red or blackish. 
It js sometimes brought on by other disorders that have 



77 

been imperfectly cured, and have left impurities of blood, 
that must in time destroy the horse, or work itself out by 
way of the urine, the kidneys being the organs by which 
these fluids are secreted; and sometimes these organs 
are powerfully operated on by the sympathetic affection 
of other disordered parts; hence we see the water look 
muddy or milky, and the sediment thereof will contain 
numerous red and yellow particles, which, by the secret- 
ive organs not doing their work properly, cause (though 
not very frequently) gravel, or stone in the bladder as it 
is called. 

The symptoms are, great restlessness and pain, stop- 
page of urine, with fits or spasms, cold ears, and 
generally slow but strong pulse. 

There are various things that operate powerfully upon 
the water, of which I will mention several that may be 
employed with good success. It is not always that one 
medicine will suit or cure all diseases of this nature. 
They are often as differently located as they are derived 
from various causes, &c; sometimes the difficulty is 
wholly in the kidneys, and may not be anything more 
than inflammation; and it may be gravel lodged between 
the kidneys and bladder, or in the bladder itself; and ' 
again it may not be in either of these places, but arise 
merely from inflammation in the neck of the bladder and 
glands. So you see that one medicine is not likely to 
reach every case under all these varying circumstances. 

.By introducing the hand into the rectum, if the blad- 
der is found to be full and hard, there is inflammation of 
the neck of it; if it is empty, yet on the portion of the 
intestines over it there is more than natural heat and ten- 



78 avery's own farrier. 

... 

derness, there is inflammation of the bladder; and if the 

bladder is empty, and there is no increased heat or ten- 
derness, then there is inflammation of the kidneys; so, 
also, if there be stone in the bladder, it may be felt by 
the hand, by throwing the horse and turning him upon 
his back, as it falls down on the rectum. 

Most commonly the horse does not require strong or 
often repeated diuretics, unless the object be to wash out 
the bladder and clear it of gravel and other obstructions, 
and even then they should not be continued long at a 
time; for, by so doing, you excite the kidneys to over- 
action, whereby they secrete an undue proportion of real 
blood with the urine, which is more injurious to the 
horse than direct bleeding. 

Cure. — In the first place, give a spoonfull of pulverized 
rosin, in honey suficient to ball it, or the whole may be 
dissolved in a quart of warm water and given as a drench; 
also give him a portion of salts, adding a spoonfull of 
cream of tartar. If he should not get relief from this 
within a short time, or if the animal is in great pain and 
restless, commence immediately, after giving the medi- 
cine, to place hot fomentations over the kidneys, of bit- 
ter herbs steeped in vinegar, or salt and water, repeating 
them often, and keeping them hot for several hours; do 
not leave the back wet and uncovered afterwards, but 
rub dry with a hot flannel cloth. This will ease the pain 
of the animal, and help the operation of the medicine. 

When the above is not convenient, or is deemed not 
sufficient, after a reasonable time for it to operate, you 
may give either of the following (continuing the foraent- 
atations as before): Any of the various kinds of melon 



79 

or pumpkin seeds, steeped to a strong decoction, one pint, 
adding half a pint of good gin, unless the disease is de- 
cidedly inflammatory; or you may give balls of the pine 
turpentine, or dissolve this in gin also; or balsam of co- 
paiba, or balsam of fir. A tea made by steeping the 
boughs of the latter, is also very good for the water (as 
well as for a cough). The tea made from the boughs of 
the common hemlock, is good for a like purpose; or, if 
these are not at hand, and the inflammation is not very 
great, one ounce of spirits of nitre may be given for a 
close, with good success; or you can give the urine balls, 
as directed in numbered recipes. 

The above is deemed sufficient for all ordinary cases 
of inflammation of the kidneys, and stoppage of urine. 
But in more serious cases, with gravel or stone in the 
bladder or intestines, bleed — if the horse is in good con- 
dition and the pulse strong, the fomentations as above 
will still be useful; or, by boiling up a good lot of to- 
bacco, and applying hot, you have the benefit of the hot 
water, together with the laxative property of the tobacco, 
and a pint of this may be injected up the rectum, which 
will relax and cure the spasms that are the cause of the 
animal's agony. You should give the following drinks 
until relief is obtained. Take a quantity of the stalk of 
the wild bulrush, which is common in most parts of the 
country, and sometimes used for scouring purposes; or of 
the root of the plant commonly known as the Indian 
gravel weed, which is found in low and marshy ground; 
boil either or both of these together in a kettle, and give 
the horse a pint, two or three times a day, of the tea, 
adding a little gin, and also a spoonfull of sup. carb. 



80 avery's own farrier. 

soda, once a day. This will be most likely to cut and 
dislodge the gravel, and relieve the horse from his suf- 
fering,* if not, try the remedy given under the head of 
Lithontriptics. 

Cribbing. — This is more a habit than a disease, and 
is generally acquired while young in consequence of 
cutting teeth, which causes pain in the gums and jaws. 
This habit, once acquired, he does not forget after teeth- 
ing, but continues to grow stronger with age. To effect 
a cure only requires to hitch him in the middle of the 
floor and high up, so that he can not bite anything, till 
he forgets this habit, which will not require many days 
to accomplish. He should be fed from a basket hung 
on his head, during the time. 

Choking. — It sometimes happens that a very greedy 
horse gets choked while endeavoring to hog down dry 
oats very fast. A quantity of oats get lodged in the 
throat of the animal; being unable to swallow them, if 
he does not throw them up immediately, they soon swell 
and become so hard that he can not get rid of them by 
any effort of his own, and he must die unless relieved. 

Cure. — When this first happens, if he does not throw 
them up in a few moments, take a round stick as large 
as you can get in his mouth crosswise, and tie it in by 
means of a string at each end running over the head; and 
if it is possible for him to throw them up by coughing 
he will do so; if this does not have the desired effect, 
then hold his head up as high as you can, turn into the 
mouth a strong decoction of tobacco, and make him swal- 
low if possible. This sickens him and relaxes the 
muscles to that degree that it will give immediate re- 



avery's own farrier. 81 

lief. I once knew this to cure a horse that had been 
suffering in this situation for two days, and was very 
near dying; but was relieved in a few minutes by giving 
the tobacco. 

SWEENY. 

Symptoms. — The horse is lame in one of his fore legs. 
You should examine his shoulders carefully, and if he is 
sweeny, the shoulder on the side he is lame in will be 
shriveled and not so full as the other, commonly about 
four to six inches below the withers, and will continue 
to decrease as the lameness increases. This is often 
caused by keeping the horse checked too long and too 
high; by raising the neck too high, strains on the shoulder 
blade — which causes too much friction of the parts. It 
is sometimes caused also by allowing the horse to pull in 
too wide a collar. 

Cure. — Rowel the shoulder where it is fallen in — 
some three or four inches in length. A tarred rope is 
best to create inflammation, as it will do it sooner than 
almost anything else. Leave it in about ten days, occa- 
sionally washing the shoulder with camphoretted spirits, 
and let the horse have entire rest. But if he is to be 
worked during treatment for this difficulty, dispense with 
the above, and follow the directions given in recipe No. 
81. 



82 



AVERY S OWN FARRIER. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Those who touch Vermillion, become red; and those who 
touch ink, become black. So people take their character from 
the class of horses they keep; then who could wish to keep or 
drive an old blind horse. 

THE EYE. 

The eye is a very necessary and useful organ, the loss 
of which very much lessens the value of the animal; 
and when he loses both he becomes worthless. To de- 
scribe all the various liabilities that the eye is subject to 
is unnecessary. The eye is said to be the organ of 
sight, and in one sense it is; and in another sense of the 
word, the brain is what sees, or divines things after all; 
and the eye the organ that conveys the idea of shape, 
color of objects, and intelligence to the brain. It is very 
complicated in its structure, and withall a very sensi- 
tive organ, and very liable to injuries from blows, whips, 
and many other accidents. Whenever a wound is in- 
flicted on or about the eye, it causes inflammation sooner 
than on almost any other part, owing to its great sensi- 
tiveness; and when it is inflicted on the eye itself, or its 
surrounding parts, it not only becomes inflamed, but it 
leaves what is called a film on the eye, which is merely 
a thickening of the fluids that are calculated to lubricate 
and clear the eye from dirt accidently entering it, which 
render the sight more keen. Now you need not be 
alarmed about this, for when it is caused by a wound or 
inflammation, it is as necessary to the eye, before it can 
heal and get well, as the scab is on any flesh wound be- 



avery's own farrier. 83 

fore that can heal. Before I proceed further, I will give 
you the treatment to be observed in this case, in order to 
effect a speedy 

Care. — If necessary to allay the swelling and inflam- 
mation by depletion of the parts, do it by opening the 
vein at the corner of the eye/or bleeding in the nose 
(for which directions will be found in another place); 
physic, and the diet should be light and of a cooling na- 
ture; bathe the eye and temples often with cold water, 
until the inflammation is subdued; then if there should 
be any film on the eye, take fresh butter or lard, and 
dress it in the following manner: take it on the end of 
your finger, and after chafing the temples, &c, you can 
fill the eye with this dressing easily, do this once a day 
until the film disappears, which will not be more than a 
week at longest; and, generally speaking, one or two 
dressings will be sufficient. 

There are other causes of blindness, one of which is com- 
monly known by the name of hooks or haw of the eye. 
Much has been said and written on this subject, and 
some of the old masters have contended that the film or 
cataract, in case of hooks, was a thickening of the 
second membrane of the eye, and used to resort to (what 
they called) a surgical operation of the eye to remove 
it, by which many a valuable horse has been sacrificed; 
while others have described it thus, which I think ap- 
proximates a little nearer the truth; they say the horse 
has a membrane, peculiar to the animal, which is drawn 
at pleasure over the eye, to clear it of dirt accidentally 
entering it, the enlargement of which, by inflammation, 
produces what is called hooks. You have now only to 



84 avery's own farrier. 

listen a few moments, to learn what my views are in re- 
lation to this membrane, and disease of the eye. 

The fact is, that instead of t-his membrane, as it has 
been called and described above — the horse has a tube 
or sack (which answers a similar purpose to the eye, as 
the oil sack found on the rump of fowls does them, that 
we often see them oil their feathers from), that is situated 
in the corner of each eye, and from which oozes, by the 
motion of the eye, a liquid or oily substance, which tends 
to moisten the eye and render the sight more keen and 
nice, as well as to assist in clearing the eye from dirt 
accidentally entering it — and also another tube which 
conveys the tear, as I shall call it here, to the nose, &c. ; 
and whenever these tubes are closed, or an even flow of 
the matter therein contained is checked, by inflammation 
or fever, as they often are, the eye looks glassy, or has 
the appearance of film. The primary causes, however, 
are various, as being kept in dark stables, and then led 
out to a full glare of light; filthy and ill-ventilated ones, 
where the horse is obliged to stand enveloped in the 
gases that arise from the excrements, &c.; with many 
others that might be mentioned; and one of which is, 
the horse from two to six years of age is subject to have 
what are commonly called wolf teeth, which come in 
front and close to the grinders, and in fact is one, of 
those they shed, of the upper jaw; and is a small round 
tooth which sometimes causes blindness by the pressure 
on the nerve leading to the eye. The blindness caused 
in this way come on more gradually, however, than 
when caused by inflammation. So whenever the sight 
becomes dim or imperfect (at this age), it will be well 



85 

to examine and see if he has these teeth, if so, pull them 
out; for there will be no harm done, if this be not the 
cause. 

Cure. — For hooks, if the cause does not proceed from 
the teeth, it only requires a strict adherence to the rules 
given above for film; applying mullen oil occasionally 
to the eye. A very soothing and beneficial wash for 
the eye is made by mixing honey and rose water; or if 
there is much inflammation of the eye or surrounding 
parts, anoint about the eye and temples with an ointment 
made by simmering the blue flag root in lard. The use 
of the lard, or these oils, supplies the deficiency of the 
natural fluid, or oil of the eye, and thus assists nature in 
restoring the organ to health, and in removing the film; 
which accounts for the beneficial effects of those articles. 

A blind horse (or one partially so) in both eyes, by 
any defect or disease coming on, will usually keep his 
ears in constant and rapid motion; and on being led from 
the stable into a stronger light, he will raise his head 
and squint alternately; which denotes weakness or dis- 
ease of the eye. And if entirely blind, or nearly so, he 
will lift his feet high, as though he was going to step 
over something, when really there is nothing to obstruct 
his passage, and there will be an evident uncertainty 
where he is going to put his feet down. But when the 
blindness is confined to one eye alone, there is little or 
nothing of this characteristic gait to be perceived. And 
the loss of one eye only, does not materially injure him 
for ordinary business. 

In cases of confirmed film or cataract of the eye, there 

have been various remedies employed for their removal, 
8 



86 

and generally with ill success. Some have used for this 
purpose, chalk, salt, ashes, vitriol, and even pounded 
glass; the effect of which is only to recall the inflamma- 
tion previously attending it, and is utterly barbarous. 
But when you are determined to kill or cure, I will tell 
you of a remedy that is better and more certain to effect 
the object, although it may seem to you as barbarous as 
the former. There is this consolation about it, it is of 
less duration; and the very moment it has done its work 
you can relieve the animal from further pain, and he en- 
joys his sight again; and then again there can nothing 
give pain to the eye itself, until it penetrates the cata- 
ract. 

Cure. — Fill the eye, by means of a quill, with strong 
and newly slackened lime. Let it remain in the eye 
until the film is worked up sufficiently to be removed 
(which will be but a few minutes), then remove it, 
together with all the lime and dirt that may be in the 
eye, by means of a piece of soft sponge, wet in sharp 
vinegar. This kills the life of the lime at once, and 
prevents it from doing further injury, and the film is off. 
If this should create any'inflammation, observe the above 
rules — that is, wash often with cold water, occasionally 
applying hen's oil, or any of the above, to prevent the 
film from returning. 

There is still another species of blindness, which is 
commonly known as being moon blind, which has never 
been satisfactorily accounted for; it appears, however, 
to affect the sight of the horse mostly in the night, and 
its periodical returns has led many to suppose that it 
was influenced by that planet; but I can see no good 



avery's own farrier. 87 

reason for coming to any such conclusion. I think it 
must be brought on either by inflammation or fevers, 
imperfectly cured; or its origin can be traced to some of 
the foregoing causes of blindness; or else it must origin- 
ate from some natural defect of the organs of sight, for 
which there is no remedy. Notwithstanding, if you 
should become satisfied that it arose from the effects of 
any other disease, as too great a determination of blood 
to the head, or concussion of the brain, or any other de- 
rangement of the system, I would recommend lowering 
and equalizing the circulation of blood, by bleeding, and 
giving him a cooling diet, at those periods when he was 
most affected with the disease. 

LOSS OF APPETITE. 

I have been frequently asked what is good to give a 
horse an appetite, the owner adding, my horse don't eat 
good, &c. Now, this is owing to a want of change in 
the animal's food, dirty manger, mouldy fodder; or is 
the forerunner of some disease that will soon make itself 
known by the symptoms thereof. If any of the former, 
remove the cause immediately. He may or may not, 
need a mild dose of salts; but he should have salt to lick 
regularly, and have a little asafcetida placed in the bot- 
tom of his manger, or on his bit. Either of the follow- 
ing has a tendency to whet the appetite, and give relish 
to his food. Give him a little cayenne pepper in his 
food; or give him horse-radish roots grated fine, in his 
food, of which he soon becomes very fond; or you may 
give him a spoonfull of pure, ground mustard, in a like 
manner, for whatever assists the digestive organs, im- 



88 

proves the appetite. It is not what we eat that makes 
us strong, but what we digest. 

When you have done this, give him clean oats and hay, 
And he will no longer be troubled in this way. 

THE LAMPASS. 

Cause. — Cutting teeth and indigestion in young horses; 
and in old ones, it is owing to the teeth being worn off 
short and uneven, whereby the mouth is irritated and 
becomes swollen in the effort to masticate his food. 

Symptoms. — Swelling of the mouth and palate; and 
he eats daintily, in consequence of the gum being below 
the teeth. 

Cure. — Bleed in the mouth, by pricking several places 
in the gum, just back of the pincher teeth, with a sharp 
pointed knife, and give physic. If this does not have 
the desired effect, then sear them down with a red hot 
iron; burning the lampass just below the level of the 
teeth, being careful not to let the hot iron touch the 
teeth, nor to burn the gums but very little below the 
face of them, for by so doing you cause a hole after it 
heals up that will always make him drop his grain while 
eating, more or less, through life. They should never be 
hooked out deep with a hot iron, as some have been in 
the habit of doing. After they have been properly 
seared down, the horse should have salt and bran to lick 
every day until it has healed up, and he will improve in 
condition with remarkable rapidity. 



avery's own farrier. 89 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE PULSE, INFLAMMATION AND BLEEDING. 

The vessels which carry the blood from the heart, are 
called arteries; and the vessels that convey the blood 
back again, after it has been carried to the different parts 
of the body by the arteries, are called veins. The yield- 
ing of the artery to the gush of blood forced into it by 
the contraction of the heart, constitutes the pulse. It 
is a very useful assistant in determining the nature and 
violence of disease; and in order to be benefited by its 
motion in disease, it is necessary to know how often it 
beats in health. The number of pulsations in any artery 
will give the number of beatings of the heart, and thereby 
denote the irritation of that organ, and the system gene- 
rally. A common sized horse when in health, pulsates 
from thirty-six to thirty-eight in a minute; and smaller 
ones forty and over per minute. This is considered to 
be the standard pulse of the horse. When it does not 
beat much oftener than this, there can not be anything 
very serious to contend with in the form of inflammation 
or fever. 

The number of beatings may be ascertained by hold- 
ing the hand on the side, or on the plate vein; but this 
is not all we would like to know; in order to ascertain 
the quantity of blood, and the manner in which it flows 
through the vein, which is very essential, we must press 
the artery against some hard substance. The most con- 
venient place to feel the pulse for this purpose, is at the 
lower jaw, a little behind the spot where the submaxil- 



90 avery's own farrier. 

lary artery and vein, and the parotid duet comes from 
the under jaw. There the number of pulsations can be 
easily counted, and the character of the pulse, a matter 
of equal importance, be clearly ascertained. When the 
pulse beats from fifty to fifty- five, there is considerable 
fever; and when it reaches from seventy to eighty, it in- 
dicates a dangerous state of affairs. Few horses long 
survive a pulse of one hundred; for, by this excessive 
action, the energies of nature are speedily worn out. A 
quick pulse indicates irritation and fever; a slow pulse 
accompanies every malady connected with a difficulty of 
nervous energy. The heart may not only be excited to 
more frequent, but also to more violent actions; then we 
have the hard pulse, the sure indicator of considerable 
fever, which warrants the immediate use of the lancet. 
Sometimes the pulse may be hard and jerking, and yet 
small; the stream, though forcible, is not great; the heart 
is so irritable that it contracts before the ventricle is pro- 
perly filled; this indicates a dangerous state of disease; 
it generally accompanies inflammation of the bowels, 
&c. A weak pulse denotes a feeble action of the heart, 
and is expressive of great debility, when the horse should 
not be bled on any account. The oppressed pulse is 
when the arteries seem to be fully distended with blood, 
without that distinct pulsation as in health. There is 
obstruction somewhere, and the heart can hardly force 
the stream along, or communicate pulsation to the cur- 
rent. This is the case in sudden inflammation of the 
lungs; they are overloaded and gorged with blood, which 
can not find its way through their minute vessels. This 
accounts for copious bleeding being so beneficial in this 



avery's own farrier. 91 

disease. By increasing a pulse previously oppressed, a 
portion being removed from the distended and choked 
vessels, the remaining blood is able to flow on. 

Inflammation. — Is either local or general. When lo- 
cal, it makes itself known by redness, swelling, heat, 
and pain, and should be allayed by equalizing the heat 
and circulation of the system; increasing the internal 
heat, and cooling the external with soothing and sweat- 
ing applications. Jt does not generally become ne- 
cessary to bleed for local inflammation unless it be of 
some important organ, as the brain or lungs; but if it 
should become necessary, as of the eye, feet or legs, I 
would do so at the most convenient place nearest to the 
inflamed part, for this will benefit the horse and the part 
diseased more, even though you do not take one-fourth 
part as much blood as you would by a general bleeding. 
(See directions for local bleeding, &c.) 

When inflammation becomes general, it must be pre- 
ceded by some considerable degree of fever, which ac- 
companies it. Bleeding may be needed in the early 
stages, or may not, which must be decided upon by the 
one in attendance, as it would be very difficult to lay 
down a general rule here, that would be applicable in 
all cases and under all circumstances. If the object is 
to merely diminish the momentum of circulation, you 
can do it by this quicker than by any other means; but 
it is always safest not to hazard too much by so doing. 

BLEEDING. 

This is an important operation, and should be done 
with nicety and skill. It is performed with a fleam or a 



92 

lancet, the fleam being the most common instrument in 
use, and the safest, in unexperienced hands. However, 
the spring fleam is preferable to any other instrument for 
this purpose, especially for general bleeding. It is so 
constructed that it may be set so as to cut any desirable 
depth, to suit a thick or a thin skin, while it obviates'all 
difficulties arising from the vein rolling, by the animal's 
starting, &c. And then you can dispense with the blood 
stick and blindfolding altogether, and the incision is 
made with more certainty. When inflammation rages, 
w T hether it be local or general, and we can not lower the 
circulation by giving medicine, bathing or sweating (as 
in the human), from one to four quarts of blood may be 
taken with safety, but not more than about one gallon 
should be taken at once, unless in extreme cases, and it 
should be made to run freely. For general bleeding, the 
neck vein, or jugular, may be selected (it being the most 
convenient), about two or three inches below the union 
of the two portions of the jugular at the angle of the 
jaw. The incision should be made in a straight line 
with the artery, and care should be taken not to cut 
through the opposite side from which you make the in- 
cision; after bleeding, equal care should be observed to 
bring the margins of the wound together without pulling 
the skin out so as to leave a space for the blood to fill, 
which is sometimes attended with bad consequences. 
Put a sharp pin through the centre of the wound, and 
close to the edge of the skin, then wind around the in- 
side of this, tow or hair from the mane sufficient to stop 
the blood; bathe the parts with cold water, and when 
united sufficiently, withdraw the pin. 



avery's own farrier. 93 

Youatt, who is good authority, says the operator 
should catch the blood in some vessel for that purpose, 
in order to be able to judge as to its quantity and quali- 
ty. If after it has coagulated, a light buff colored jelly 
forms on the surface, and the crassamentum or coagu- 
lated lymph is of a dark brown color, instead of red, it 
is an evidence of the inflammatory state of the blood, 
which warrants a second bleeding, after a sufficient time 
to know that the first did not have the desired effect. 
Blood drawn from a healthy horse very soon coagulates 
and appears like uniformly red jelly, with a small quan- 
tity of fluid resembling water floating on the surface 
that consists of two parts— the red jelly, termed crassa- 
mentum, and the water or serum. " The former may be 
separated into two parts, by washing the red globules, 
and the coagulated lymph, although this may not always 
be a certain criterion to go by." In extreme cases of 
inflammation, the state of the pulse should be carefully 
regarded during the operation of bleeding; the most ex- 
perienced can not tell what quantity of blood to take to 
produce the desired effect; the change of the pulse alone 
will indicate when the object is accomplished. The 
operator should have his finger on the artery during the 
act or time of bleeding, and, comparatively regardless 
of quantity, continue to take blood until (in inflamma- 
tion of the lungs) the oppressed pulse becomes more 
distinct. 

For local bleeding, the operation is simple, and yet 
requires to be done with equal nicety and skill; for it is 
generally to be performed with a lancet, or sharp pointed 
knife, the use of which is even more difficult than that 



94 avery's own farrier. 

of the fleam. In local diseases about the head or eyes, 
the angular vein near the corner of the eye is a conven- 
ient place, or the nose and mouth may be selected; if 
you would like to take blood from the mouth, the third 
wrinkle from the incisor teeth may be chosen to advan- 
tage. From the nose, it may be obtained by taking hold 
of the upper lip with one hand, and with a sharp pointed 
penknife in the other — running it quite through the sep- 
tum, just below the nasal bone; striking the artery that 
leads to the extremity of the nose; you will find no diffi- 
culty in getting all the blood you can desire. If he 
should bleed too much, however, you have only to tie his 
head up high for a short time, and it will stop. 

For inflammation in the shoulder, or surrounding parts, 
select the plate vein as it cOmes from the inside of the 
arm and leads up towards the bosom; if behind, take the 
corresponding one on the inside of the thigh, or tap the 
same on the flank or abdomen, as the case may require. 
For contraction of the muscles of the legs, &c, or fever 
in the feet, select the feet and fetlock. 

There is this consideration about bleeding, that is 
worth keeping in view. It has become a settled princi- 
ple in the animal economy (and by good authority), 
that by bleeding the process of inflammation can be 
checked or suspended for a while; although it may re- 
turn, it is never with the same degree of violence as 
before, and in many cases it is got rid of entirely by a 
timely bleeding. 

FEVER. 

There are two kinds of fever to be noticed here, which 
I will describe in the language of my predecessors, viz: 



95 

The first is pure or simple fever, which is generally 
increased arterial action, either without any local affec- 
tion, or in consequence of the sympathy of the system 
with inflammation in some particular part. The second 
is sympathetic, and is increased arterial action, proceed- 
ing from some local cause; the treatment of which will 
be the same as that of other fevers, except that particu- 
lar attention should be paid to the state of that part ori- 
ginally diseased. Fever is heat of the parts to which it 
appears, or of the whole when it becomes general. The 
immediate causes may be seen by the foregoing descrip- 
tion; and horses are subject to but few disorders which 
are not accompanied with more or less fever. Fever of. 
parts may be occasioned by blows, strains, kicks, or 
wounds of any kind, the remedies of which will be found 
in another place. Fever of the whole surface often oc- 
curs by reason of taking cold, when the internal organs 
are cold and inactive, and then the pores of the skin will 
be closed, dry and hot. Why? Because perspiration is 
checked, the primary causes of which may be seen by 
reading the chapter on colds, &c. This should be care- 
fully guarded against. The remedies also for the same 
may be given, with a diaphoretic, which will equalize 
the circulation, and set the whole machine in good work- 
ing order again. Fevers of this kind are generally 
caused by colds, for cold is the opposite of heat, and heat 
is fever. Fever may degenerate into inflammation, and 
concentrate on some important organ, as the brain, lungs, 
midriff, or bowels, and kill your horse; but no horse ever 
died of pure ftver alone. 

Symptoms. — After the fever has become general, the 



96 AVERY 'S OWN FARRIER. 

horse will be seen to range from one end of his rack to 
the other, his flanks work more than in health, the eyes 
look red, his breath is hot and smells; he drops his hay 
after chewing. But there is no pawing, and generally 
no cough, nor looking around to the sides. The pulse is 
quicker than usual, by counting which the degree of fe- 
ver may be determined. In cases of pure fever he some- 
times has a shivering fit which returns at nearly the same 
hour every day, and lasts for several days, or until local 
inflammation appears, or the fever subsides; his urine is 
very red, and he stales with difficulty, the excrement 
being small and often slimy, as in inflammation and can- 
ker of the bowels, attending fever; one leg being hot 
and the others cold, or one being cold and the others hot, 
indicate a degree of fever. 

Cure. — In the early stages of fever give the following 
drinks as directed for colds, viz: the hot drops, or cay- 
enne pepper tea; this drives out the cold by increasing 
the inward heat. Give diuretics to promote the urine, 
and diaphoretics to create perspiration, for these are the 
two principal outlets by which relief is to be obtained; 
and when not relieved in this manner, bleed freely for 
fear of its running into inflammation; after this, give 
frequent drinks of tea made by steeping the tops of the 
common spearmint, or of bee balm, adding a little cam- 
phoretted spirits. 



avery's own farrier. 97 



CHAPTER XVII. 

The all-wise Creator— the author and preserver of the uni- 
verse — so arranged matters that is natural for ice to rise and 
float on the water. Had it been otherwise it would have sunk 
to- the bottom of the stream, and continued doing so until it 
would have destroyed this beautiful world of his. And he has 
not been less benevolent with the creatures he has placed here. 
For, unless they abuse the laws of nature, either in producing 
or in the treatment of disease, thare is a balance of power left 
in their favor. 

DERANGEMENT OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 

The stomach sometimes gets disordered and becomes 
inactive, by eating improper food and being overloaded, 
which overtaxes its capacities for digestion; and is this to 
be wondered at? It causes a slight degree of fever, and 
irritation of the parts, &c; and sometimes occasions 
cramp of the stomach, which is often taken for colic. 

Symptoms. — Great drowsiness, low pulse, cold ears, 
easily fatigued, causing either looseness or costiveness of 
the bowels. 

Cure. — If the former prevails, take a large spoonfull 
each of peppermint essence, spirits of camphor, and 
ground mustard; put them in a pint of warm water, and 
turn the whole down the horse. Or, if this be not at 
hand, give him two spoonsfull of pulverized charcoal in 
the same quantity of water; if this medicine requires to 
be repeated, add a spoonfull of the tincture of laudanum; 
but if the bowels are in a state of costiveness, after giving 

9 



98 avery's own farrier. 

the above, give physic, clothe warm, and rub the legs 
well, not forgetting to regulate the food according to the 
demands of the stomach. 

WIND COLIC. 

Symptoms. — The horse is very restless, often lying 
down and then starting up again; he will strike his belly 
with his hind feet, refuses to eat, and generally bloats 
unless he finds relief. 

Cure.— Take a piece of white chalk the size of a small 
hen's egg; pulverize this and put it in a quart bottle; 
and when you are ready to turn it down him, fill the 
bottle up with good vinegar, and let the horse drink it 
immediately. The effervescence of these two ingredients 
is such that the bottle will not long contain them after 
being mixed. After the operation of this medicine 
(which will not be long, for it is pretty sure fire), it will 
be well to give the horse some stimulus, or warming 
medicine, such as whiskey and pepper, or add to his food 
a little mustard or ginger. The chalk and vinegar are 
not beneficial so much for their purgative properties, for 
they contain none, although the horse seldom retains 
them much longer than the bottle does; but it neutral- 
izes the gases of the stomach and bowels, which are the 
cause of the bloat and distress that attend them in this 
complaint. It generally has about the same effect when 
the horse is in trouble in consequence of eating too much 
Indian meal which has baked in the maw, &c, which has 
destroyed great numbers of them in this country; it neu- 
tralizes or loosens the whole mass, and thus gives relief. 



avery's own farrier. 99 

bilious or inflammatory colic. 
Symptoms. — This kind of colic, besides most of the 
former, is accompanied with fever and great heat. The 
horse sweats and pants, the mouth is dry, and he appears 
to be in great distress, without those intervals of ease 
that generally accompany other colics. It is caused by 
a cramp or contraction of (he tube that conveys the bile 
from the liver to the stomach and intestines, and is a 
very dangerous, as well as distressing complaint. Some 
people have thought heretofore that the horse had no 
gall bladder, because they did not see any on the liver; 
if they will take the trouble to cut that organ open, they 
may find one inside of it. This shows the great wisdom 
of the creator in shielding it from rupture that might be 
caused by the feats the horse is sometimes required to 
perform. 

Cure. — Here is a composition I have used for this 
complaint with the best success. Take equal parts of 
gum, myrrh, mace, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and saf- 
fron—half an ounce of each, and two ounces of soco- 
trine aloes; pulverize these and mix altogether. This 
will make a pint or over, in all; give the horse for a 
dose, two large tablespoonsfull, mix with water and 
sweeten with molasses, which will be most likely to give 
relief in fifteen minutes; if it does not, however, within 
one hour, you may repeat the dose. This is an excellent 
medicine for any disease of the stomach and bowels 
where a purgative is needed, and should always be kept 
on hand. 



100 avery's own farrier. 

spasmodic colic. 

This differs somewhat from the former, in being an 
affection of the muscular coating of the intestines or 
bowels, characterized by acute pain, with occasional 
intermissions, with spasmodic contractions of the tissue 
of the bowels, and of the sphincters of the bladder and 
rectum. The predisposing cause of this kind of colic, 
as well as in dry or red colic, as it is called, may be the 
impairment of the digestive organs, caused by an im- 
proper or irregular diet, such as eating greedily of new 
grain, Indian corn, &c; but the exciting cause is gene- 
rally the drinking largely of cold water, when heated, 
or exposure to wet or cold; or anything that will depress 
the vital energy of the intestines, either directly or by 
sympathy. 

Symptoms. — Violent attacks and great agony; at the 
intervals of ease he stands up and eats his food; the 
pulse not much altered at the onset; the extremities not 
necessarily cold as in inflammation of the bowels. This 
disease is either to be combated by giving stimulants to 
restore or excite the natural action of the stomach and 
bowels, or to allay the spasms by anodynes or anti-spas- 
mod ics. 

Cure. — -Take one ounce of spirits of turpentine — beat 
two or three yolks of hen's eggs with it, then add half 
an ounce of peppermint essence and a spoonfull of cay- 
enne; give it to the horse in a pint of water. If the 
spasms return, wait a reasonable time; and if they con- 
tinue, give a dose of the following — say two ounces of 
each: tincture of opium (paregoric) and spirits of 



101 

camphor, in a pint of water. If this has to be repeated, 
add one ounce of sulphuric ether. Bleeding may be 
necessary to prevent inflammation, when the state of the 
pulse will warrant it. 

THE RED COLIC (ENTERITIS). 

The characteristics of this disease are similar to that 
of derangement of the stomach and bowels, in its more 
advanced stages. Its appearance is manifested by a 
more gradual approach, and lingering disease, than that 
of spasmodic colic, which may be present after this has 
disappeared; the horse may be drooping for several 
days, and much inclined to lie down, refusing his food, 
only at intervals, looking towards his flanks as express- 
ive of the seat of pain, &c. These symptoms are much 
the same as when he is laboring under the effects of a 
slow poison. It is very difficult sometimes to distinguish 
between this colic and inflammation of the bowels; the 
pulse must be resorted to for this purpose. This, like 
the former, is often accompanied with contractions of 
the sphincters of the bladder and rectum;' and in either 
case diuretics should not be given, as they will prove in- 
jurious. At times during the paroxysms, as in the 
above, a few drops only of urine may be voided, show- 
ing the spasmodic action of the bladder; generally stal- 
ing may be considered a favorable symptom, for it shows 
the urinary organs to be relaxed. Scouring is often a 
forerunner of this disease, though the reverse of this is 
sometimes the case. 

Cure. — Treat in the first place as in spasmodic colic, 
and if he should scour afterwards, you may give him a 



102 avery's own farrier. 

dose of the tincture of opium and ether, or a quart of 
the hemlock bark decoction. 

If the horse is very costive, warm and oily clysters 
will be useful, and in some cases back raking may be 
necessary to remove the indurated foeces, by the insertion 
of a small hand. Gently moving the animal about, and 
friction of the belly often helps the operation of medi- 
cine, and relieves him from pain. But in cases of inflam- 
mation of the bowels or lungs, exercise causes pain and 
distress. And then again there is this difference between 
colic and inflammation: with the colic the strength of 
the animal is not much lessened, while with inflamma- 
tion he grows gradually weaker and weaker. In all 
bowel complaints, of whatever description, sage tea is 
an excellent drink. 

DIARRHCEA, DYSENTERY, OR SCOURING. 

The cause of the above diseases are also various; it 
proceeds sometimes from foul feeding, hard exercise, 
sudden heat or cold, causing an overflow of bile, indi- 
gestion, and weakness of the intestines. The symptoms 
I need not speak of further than this: when fairly set in, 
these diseases weaken, run him down, and finally wear 
him out, sooner than almost any other disease that takes 
hold of the horse. And yet some will tell you that this 
must not be checked too sudden, or stopped immediately, 
while others will bleed, and as often give physic as any 
thing else, whereby many a horse has been lost. It is 
true that this disease comes very near where they live, 
and should be treated with great care and caution. We 



103 

should not hazard the welfare of the organs that are im- 
mediately interested in this disease, nor those that sym- 
pathise with them, by giving an over dose, or too 
powerful an astringent to commence with, not until we 
have paved the way for it, which might cause inflam- 
mation, or even mortification to set in, that would be as 
certain to produce death as the disease that we were 
contending with. But we should stop the progress of 
this disease by first restoring the organs affected, and 
keep on with a steady and persevering course of medi- 
cine until the object is accomplished. 

Cure. — In common diarrhoea, or gentle purging, 
drench the horse several times in course of the day with 
tea made by steeping the leaves of the red raspberry, 
strawberry and sage, about equal parts; this cleanses the 
stomach and bowels of the canker that is in them. Then 
give a dose of laudanum, peppermint essence and spirits 
of camphor, about one ounce of each — this will regulate 
the stomach and correct the bile, which will help to 
check the scouring, and is good for fever or inflamma- 
tion. This medicine may be repeated once in five or six 
hours, or followed by giving a quart of the decoction of 
the inner bark of hemlock. 

In dysentery we sometimes see the canker, mixed with 
blood, come along with the excrement, which is the 
scourings of the inner coatings of the intestines. If 
this is not stopped immediately, I think it would be easy 
to judge of the consequences. After cleansing the 
bowels of this canker, by drenching the horse with the 
cheap and reliable drench, given in recipes, or by giving 



104 

a dose of rennet, prepared in the manner as for making 
cheese, followed with a dose of brandy, to which is 
added a little camphor. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

"He that by the plough would thrive, 
Himself must either hold or drive; 
And there are those that must do both, 
Or be insensible to want and sloth." 

DISEASES OF THE SKIN, &C. 

Mange is a species of this kind; as also surfeit and 
hide bound; and water farcy or dropsy has hereto- 
fore been considered a disease of the skin, and may be 
properly mentioned in connection with the same here. 
" The skin answers a double purpose of protection and 
strength. Where it is necessary that the parts should 
be bound and knit together, it adheres so tightly that it 
can scarcely be raised. Thus the bones of the knees, 
and pasterns, and the tendons of the legs, on which so 
much stress is thrown, are securely tied down and kept 
in their places. It is also very elastic, and readily adapts 
itself to the slow growth or decrease of the body, and 
appears to fit equally well, whether the horse is in the 
fullest condition possible, or reduced to a skeleton." The 
skin is full of minute glands that are called pores, through 
which it is supplied with an oily fluid, by means of the 
insensible perspiration that takes place in the body, that 
render it soft and pliable. Thus it is when the horse is 



avery's own farrier. 105 

in good thriving condition that the skin is loose from 
the texture beneath, and he is said to be healthy. The 
reverse of which is hide-bound, and the horse is said to 
be ill-conditioned. Now, these pores, constituting as 
they do one of the principal outlets of the body, become 
affected with almost every disease of the internal organs, 
as well as by the quantity and quality of the food he 
eats. 

The cause of hide-bound may be the forerunner of 
some other disease; it may proceed from teething or 
moulting, of which I shall speak hereafter. But the 
most common cause of this complaint,*is for Want of a 
good supply of nutricious food; and if this be the cause, 
alteratives will be beneficial and a change of diet indis- 
pensable. 

Surfeit and mange go hand in hand; surfeit is mange 
in the first stage; and mange is surfeit in a more ad- 
vanced stage of the disease, although they have generally 
been considered as two distinct diseases. 

Causes. — Teething sometimes produces itching and 
eruptions of the skin, as well as purging. In either case 
the mouth and teeth should be examined, allowing the 
horse to be of the age to have suspicion rest on this 
cause. Fevers also leave a scurf on the skin often 
causing surfeit. 

Moulting. — The horse sheds his hair twice a year, 
viz: spring and autumn. This is called moulting, by 
which the skin undergoes a material change, both in 
the falling off of the old hair and the sudden growth of 
the new. At these periods of changing the coat, the 
skin is more tender and irritable than at other times of 



106 avery's own farrier. 

the year, and the animal requires better keeping in 
order to perform his usual work, and supply the growth 
of new hair. And then it is that he is generally most 
neglected; he will be seen to sweat and be easily over- 
done if worked. Clipping the superfluous hair at this 
time, has been thought by some to be beneficial. But 
these things are very little heeded by the farmer, who 
wishes to have his horses live by grazing as late in au- 
tumn as possible, in order to save fodder; and he allows 
them to run out late in cold and pinching weather, 
This, undoubtedly, is the most fruitful cause of mange, 
and, when once established in the field, is carried from 
thence to the stable; there they are crowded together, 
often rubbing and biting each other; and if the same 
card and brush is used on one that is affected with mange 
and then on one that is not, he will be most likely to 
become infected with it. For after the hair begins to 
slip off from the pimples, a sort of matter oozes from 
them; and then, and not till then, is this disease conta- 
gious; but whenever this matter comes in contact with 
the skin of the horse that is in health, it will produce a 
like disease. I think it quite probable, that where it 
happens to fall on the delicate membrane covering the 
inside of the nostrils, as it may from their aptitude to be 
nibbling and biting each other, that it may sometimes be 
the first steps towards laying the foundation of that ter- 
rible and so often fatal disease, real farcy and glanders. 
Symptoms of mange are as follows: the coat is rough, 
then follows a breaking out, commencing about the neck 
and back of the animal, and finally spreading nearly over 
the body, appearing like blotches or little round pimples 



107 

that rise up on the skin, and quite pointed, from which 
a liquid substance oozes that destroys the hair on these 
places, when it falls off, causing more or less itching or 
rubbing. Surfeit is characterized by a dirty skin; the 
hair appears as though it had been filled with a fine 
powder, and from that up to the size of wheat bran. 

Cure. — Good stable management is very important 
wherever this disease has set in. Alteratives in this 
disease are very essential, for which I would use sulphur, 
black antimony, and occasionally adding a little asafoe- 
tida, as it has a more direct influence in opening the 
pores of the skin than most anything else. I would use 
it in small quantities, as by giving enongh to physic the 
horse it opens the pores too much, whereby they are 
more liable to take cold. By anointing the pimples 
with the following, you will soon effect a cure: Take 
one pound of fresh lard, four ounces of sulphur, and one 
ounce of red precipitate; melt and mix these, and apply 
with the finger, rubbing it well in. I have another re- 
medy for this disease that is simple and purely vegetable, 
and works like a charm, which is, to feed the colt that is 
affected, with two or three quarts a day of buckwheat 
for a week; during this time take four quarts of the same 
and turn upon it a pailfull of warm water, letting it 
stand three days, and stir before using, then wash the 
parts affected with this liquor. I know that some people 
have said, that they would not feed buckwheat on any 
account, as it produced itch, but this was before they 
knew its cooling and medicinal properties. By feeding 
buckwheat, the coat will assume a very sleek and glossy 
appearance, just what we want to see after any kind of 



108 

disease of the skin or any other part. It brings the hu- 
morous matter of the body to the surface,«and cleanses the 
system. Then by applying this wash, which is equally 
cooling and soothing to the surface, all itching and 
eruptions of the skin are got rid of at once. Some 
may have formed an unfavorable opinion of this grain by 
feeding too much or too long of it; at any rate, it is 
good for a change of diet, which the horse so much re- 
quires; and is valuable as a medicine in all diseases of 
the skin, acting as a preventive against other diseases. 
The straw of this grain also forms an important part of 
the food of the horse, especially when fed on much of the 
heavier kinds of grain, or when diseased. 

Dropsy. — Has been called by some water farcy, but it 
may be more properly called dropsy. 

Causes.—- Over riding or driving, excessive fatigue, 
damp stables, and taking cold, whereby the pores of the 
skin become closed, so that the fluid which should have 
passed off through them in the form of sweat or evapo- 
ration, is collected beneath the skin. 

Symptoms. — The horse is very stiff and sore, and 
scarcely able to be moved out of the stable, not much 
inclined to eat or lie down, the arms, breast and belly 
swollen, and hanging down like sacks, appearing to be 
filled with wind or w r ater, or a sort of jelly under the 
skin, the dimensions of which will correspond with the 
severity of the case. 

Cure. — Clothe warm, rub the legs often; give cayenne 
pepper tea two or three times a day, and every morning 
add a little, rosin to his food for two or three days, fre- 
quently bathing thesw r ollen parts with cold w r ater. After 



avery's own farriek. 109 

the swelling has disappeared, if there should be any sores 
or blotches on the skin, as there will sometimes be in 
obstinate cases, use the following twice a day until well: 
Take four ounces of fresh butter or lard, half an ounce 
each of camphor and castile soap, and a piece of lard 
the size of a hickory nut, melt and mix these all together, 
then add one ounce of origanum oil, half an ounce of 
spirits of turpentine, and when thoroughly mixed it is 
fit for use. 

It may be deemed expedient to fleam the swollen parts 
in order to let out the water collected under the skin, so 
as to effect a more speedy cure in some cases; if so, care 
should be taken to avoid all veins and arteries, and use 
only a short fleam for this purpose that will only reach 
through the skin; although it will seldom, if ever, be 
necessary to resort to the fleam at all in diseases of this 
nature, when we consider that the above remedies work 
it out through the pores of the skin and by the urine, 
which is the proper mode of effecting a cure. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

BLOOD SPAVINS. 

I am well aware of the declaration made by some in 
relation to this difficulty, that a horse once spavined is 
ruined, for a spavin is incurable. As I said at the start, 
it is not for one man to know all; he may understand 
some branches of art better than others, and he should 
not be blamed for not understanding them all; but I 
10 



110 avery's own farrier. 

can not consent that the spavin is incurable, and for this 
reason: I have cured a great many of them, some of 
which I have known to remain sound through life, while 
the animal had always been kept at hard work. 

The blood spavin is called by different names by dif- 
ferent persons, as thorough-pin, flesh and bog spavin, 
wind puffs, &c., but they are in fact one and the same 
disease, which may only be called so from the different 
stages it appears in after it has commenced, and may be 
known by the enlargement of the tarsus or hock, which 
is composed of six bones. 

Symptoms. — It may first be seen on the inside of the 
joint where the skin will only be a very little raised im- 
mediately over the large blood vessel, partially hiding it 
at this place; sometimes it will appear on the outside of 
the joint like a little puff which gives it the name of tho- 
rough-pin, and then again it will sometimes spread nearly 
around the whole joint, which will appear in some cases 
twice as large as in health, when it is called flesh or bog 
spavin; but, generally speaking, the enlargement is 
confined to the inside of the joint and is called blood 
spavin. Between the tendons of the hock there is a 
little bladder or sack, containing an oily substance, 
which enables the tendons to slide over without friction. 
By some strain, either in the effort to get up in the sta- 
ble and slipping, or other accident, and hard drawing, 
this little sack, or some little blood vessels of the parts, 
becomes ruptured, and the matter they contain oozes out 
by the motion of the joint, collecting under the skin, 
which makes the enlargement called spavin. 

Sometimes the horse is quite lame, and at others only 



Ill 

partially so, unless exercised hard, and he will show it 
most after standing still some time, and recover soon from 
his lameness by being warmed up by exercise, which is 
a characteristic of all kinds of spavins. Young and 
spirited horses are more liable to injuries of this kind 
than others, for their legs and joints are not so firmly knit 
and strong, and they are more likely to overdo and strain 
themselves when put to work. 

Cure. — When the enlargement first appears, or has not 
run over six months, it may be permanently cured by at- 
tending carefully to the following directions: Take a 
sharp-pointed knife or fleam and puncture the skin in 
several places over the enlargement, barely through the 
skin; rub the place once only with spirits of turpentine, 
to create a little irritation of the parts; then take a piece 
of strong cloth, the size of the enlarged part, and cover 
it well with any kind of adhesive salve that will draw 
pretty hard, Lut not so as to blister or start the hair; 
heat this and stick it on, then warm some more of this 
salve (or a little tar will answer for this purpose), and 
cover the outside of the plaster with it; then put on a 
compress and bandage as tight as you can without pain- 
ing the horse, which can be done by laying on this plas- 
ter a wad of tow or cotton, so that the tar will keep to 
its place until it is secured by the bandage, which should 
be about three inches in width, and wound alternately 
above and below the joint on the back part of the leg, 
and so as to cross it every time you wind it around the 
leg over the tow. In this way you will be able to press 
the bunch (that you want to get rid of) well back to the 
joint, or to its natural position. This is a very difficult 



112 avery's own farrier. 

place to keep a bandage on, owing to the taper of the 
leg at this place and the motion of the joint, and this is 
the only way you can do it effectually. Remove the 
bandage and plaster every day, and wash the parts with 
strong camphoretted spirits or oil of wormwood, well 
rubbed in with the hand. Repeat the compressing and 
bandaging until the bunch is gone, which may be three 
or four days, and continue to wash the parts with alco- 
hol and camphor some time afterwards, which will 
strengthen the joint and prevent its return. I would ad- 
vise rest, as well as caution not to strain the horse, or 
draw him hard for a while. I never met with a single 
failure in this way, and always effected a cure without 
leaving a scar or blemish. 

In cases of old spavins, where they have become cal- 
loused or tumorous, a different mode of treatment will be 
required. If they contain any matter, let it out with a 
knife, and apply a strong blister, which may need to be 
repeated; then use the compress and bandage as before, 
and bathe the parts with the following: Take one pint 
of good brandy, add a handfull of bark taken from the 
sumach root; let this soak over night or longer, then add- 
ing, and shaking the bottle well before using, two spoons- 
ful! of the oil of angle worms.* By rubbing the enlarged 
part with this once a day, and using the bandage, you 
will be most likely to succeed in getting rid of that which 

* To obtain the oil of angle worms, take a quart bottle and fill it 
with worms; hang it up in some warm place in the sun until the 
worms are decayed, and there will be an oil left on the top which you 
can turn off and keep for use. It is an excellent and powerful ap- 
plication for old spavins and stiff joints. 



avery's own farrier. 113 

is such an eye-sore to man. Although, should there be 
any stiffness or enlargement left of the joint after apply- 
ing the above a short time, let it rest a few days after 
oiling it, to start the hair; and then if it is larger than 
you wish to have it, use the oil of wormwood on it for a 
few days longer. Or if there is not much enlargement, 
and the joint appears to be stiff, use the frog's oil which 
will be found in recipe No. 92. 

BONE spavin. 
This, as well as the blood spavin, according to horse- 
ology, has had several different names given to- it by dif- 
ferent individuals. One calls it a beetle, the next a jack, 
another a dry knot, and so on; but the most common and 
proper name is bone spavin, as it becomes a bony sub- 
stance, having proceeded from one cause, viz: a blow, 
slip or strain, whereby the lower joint of the hock is in- 
jured, the ligament covering the joint, being cracked on 
the inside of the leg, causing a leakage from the joint 
itself. This joint lee oozes out and finally becomes ossi- 
fied, or bony like. As it increases in size under the skin, 
it hinders the free play of the joint, which grows weaker 
as the bunch increases. The horse is stiff in that leg, 
and sometimes quite lame, but it comes on him so gradu- 
ally that oftentimes he starts off very lame for a short 
distance before any enlargement of the joint is to be seen, 
unless it be by a very close observer. At this time it is 
not so difficult to cure as it is after it has formed a bunch, 
for then you have a double task to perform; you have 
not only the joint to cure so that the horse will not be 
lame, but you have this bunch to take off so that there 



114 avery's own farrier. 

will not be any blemish; but the main object is to stop 
the leakage of the joint. 

Cure. — Take a half bushel of dried beech leaves, which 
you can find in the woods any time; boil them in water 
for half an hour, put them in a bag and bind it on the 
leg, leaving a hole in the bag where it comes over the 
joint. Keep this hot as the horse can bear it by taking 
it off and dipping it in the same liquor they were boiled 
in, every half hour for some four or five hours. After 
this has been done, wash the joint with a strong decoc- 
tion of white oak bark and alum twice a day for a few 
days, after which you may use the alcohol and camphor. 
Being careful to not turn him short on his legs, or wrench 
the joint anew for some two or three weeks, it will be- 
come sound again. But where there is a large bunch 
formed over the joint, you can not. stop the leakage till 
this is out of the way. The reason why so many have 
failed in curing this disease is, because they have been 
unsuccessful in this part of the operation. Some have 
succeeded in the early stages of this ossified substance, by 
powerful blistering or firing, which is attended with 
some risk, and being also very painful to the horse. 
There have been various experiments made, and different 
conclusions arrived at, in attempting to dissolve this 
ossified substance without injuring the horse. However 
there are but two modes of doing it that I am acquainted 
with, which I feel willing to recommend to the public. 
The first is to shave off the hair and lay on a little liquid 
or sweating blister ointment (for which a recipe will be 
found in another place), until you get the skin nearly off 
from the spot, or it is raw; then apply by sprinkling it 



115 

on, or by putting it on a tallowed rag in the centre, fast- 
ening it on the sore by means of a little sticking salve 
around the edges. This makes a deeper sore than you 
can get with a blister. Wash the sore every day, and 
repeat this last operation until you think it has suffi- 
ciently done its work in causing this bony substance to 
slough off; then remove and cleanse it, and begin the 
healing process. The second is to take a strong ley 
made from the swamp ash; boil it down till quite thick, 
and apply as above directed to the sore. This will do 
its work quietly and without giving pain. But if you 
wish to hasten the decrease of this bunch a little faster, 
add to the above a very little corrosive sublimate. After 
cleansing and getting rid of this ossification, great care 
should be bestowed in qrder to stop the leakage of the 
joint, and heal up the wound without leaving a blemish, 
which can be done in the following manner: In the first 
place, take one pint of alcohol, adding an ounce of tonic 
acid, and wash the sore about the joint with it once a day. 
Then dress it every day after washing with the follow- 
ing salve, and apply it to the wound every day until it is 
healed up. It is the one to be used in taking off any 
bunches of this kind, either spavins, ring-bones, or any 
others where the joints are affected, for it has a powerful 
effect in stopping the leakage from the joint, and heal- 
ing up the wound at the same time. Take one ounce 
each of honey and pine turpentine, one pint of a strong 
decoction of white oak bark, and simmer them together 
to the consistency of a salve. 



116 avery's own farrier 



RINGBONE. 



This is not much unlike the bone spavin in its first 
stages, in many respects, only in its location. It first 
appears on the side of the pasterns, and, as it increases 
in growth, it extends forward and quite around the pas- 
terns, or until it meets its brother on the other side, 
forming a ring of bony or ossified substance, from which 
it takes its name. The pastern joint is not only injured, 
but in time this ossified substance becomes so firm, that 
it binds the cords and ligaments so tight that the coffin 
and naviculare bones are affected thereby, rendering the 
horse very lame, &c. This disease makes its appearance 
most frequently on colts, or young horses ; but older ones 
are not always exempt. It is sometimes the result of 
bad shoeing, by paring the heel too much and the toe 
too little, thus throwing the weight of the horse back of 
the centre of the foot, which is very straining to the 
pasterns. Colts having long and yielding pasterns, are 
more liable to have ringbones than those having shorter 
ones, and stand upright. Where colts are confined 
closely the first and second winter, much can be done to 
prevent ringbone by paring the horny part of the toe off 
occasionally, but when they are allowed to run and have 
sufficient exercise, they wear them off themselves. When 
there is any enlargement or swelling of the legs of young 
colts, it may well be regarded as suspicious of ringbone, 
for it generally results in that, and is oftener caused by 
need of exercise than in any other way (which is the 
fault of the owner), for this causes inflammation and 
swelled legs, which always precede ringbone. 



avery's own farrier. 117 

Exercise is as essentially necessary to the growth and 
strength of the limbs as food is to the body. So he that 
does not know how to cure ringbone, can do much to 
prevent it. 

Cure. — Take the swelling and inflammation out of the 
legs by bathing them in cold water, and applying the 
wormwood steeped in vinegar, as before stated. If the 
pasterns remain enlarged or swollen, cut off a strip of 
bacon rind, two inches wide, nearly an inch thick, and 
long enough to reach around the part, and tie it on by 
means of a strong string attached to each end thereof. 
I would not do anything more for it under three months, 
only to let him wear this, and give him plenty of exer- 
cise; for nature will do a great deal towards perfecting 
a cure; and harsh remedies are often attended with 
worse consequences than the disease. After this opera- 
tion, I should proceed to take them off precisely as I 
would a bone spavin, being particular to oil the wound 
occasionally, as well as all around the coronet, to assist 
in restoring the hair, and also to prevent injuring the 
hoof. 

FOR STOPPING JOINT LEE, &C. 

Where any fresh wound is near the joint, or the joint 
is in any way injured so as to cause the joint water to leak 
out, as is the case sometimes by kicks, &c, it must be 
stopped immediately, and that before any attempt is 
made to heal up the wound, or the joint is spoiled, which 
can be done effectually in the following manner: Take, 
for instance, from a peck to half a bushel of old, dry 
beach leaves, boil them for sometime in water, then 



118 avery's own farrier. 

place them in a bag having one side of it open, and 
place this over the joint, keeping it as hot as the animal 
can bear it by often dipping it in the water they were 
boiled in, until the object is effected, which may take 
some three or four hours in some cases. Then begin to 
heal it up by the following salve: Take one pint of the 
strongest decoction of the white oak bark, and two 
ounces each of honey and yellow pine turpentine, and 
simmer them together. Or if it is away from the joint, 
and on or near the bone, use the following instead: 
Take a decoction of these roots, viz: spikenard, com- 
frey, and bitter sweet, to one quart of this liquor, and 
one pound of lard, a very little salt and camphor, then 
simmer the whole together, stirring it well, and, when 
cool, it will be fit for use. 

There are a great many remedies given for these com- 
plaints, many of which cure them, for the time being, 
about as well as scratching cures the itch; but the great 
object is to remove the cause entirely and effect a perfect 
cure, for which the above will be found invaluable. 

A CURB, OR CORB. 

This is a swelling that arises from the joint, or liga- 
ments on the back part of the leg, just below the point 
of the hock, and is generally accompanied with consid- 
erable inflammation of that particular part. It is com- 
monly caused by a blow or strain. The colt does this 
often in some of his kicking pranks, which renders the 
leg, when curbed, very unpleasant to the eye, and some- 
times makes him quite lame. 

Cure. — Muffle the leg and bathe it with cold water. 



avery's own farrier. 119 

Then apply the clay and vinegar poultice; one day will 
be sufficient for this. After which, rub the curb with 
the following liniment twice a day: Take one ounce 
each of oils of wormwood and origanum, and one ounce 
of gum camphor; put them 'in a bottle and add half a 
pint of good alchohol; shake well and apply as above 
stated for a week. Then let it alone for a week, being 
careful not to strain it anew. And if the curb is not 
considerably diminished in that time, then fleam the 
parts in several places just through the skin, and band- 
age, removing it every day, and wash the joint with any 
powerful astringent; when done, rub the curb with clear 
oil of wormwood, and bandage again until cured. 

LAMENESS IN THE STIFLE. 

The stifle joint is a very tender and sensitive place on 
the horse; it is even next to the eye in this respect. It 
is constructed so that it turns or rolls almost out of its 
place (as it were), every time the horse steps, and is 
prevented from doing so only by the strong muscles and 
ligaments of the leg that support it, and the small sinews 
that are situated near the centre thereof. Consequently, 
when a horse is said to be stifled, it is nothing more or 
less than these muscles being strained by some sudden 
wrench, causing inflammation of the parts, and weak- 
ness, whereby the ligaments become relaxed so that they 
do not keep the joint in its proper place. It may be 
caused by a blow, strain or kick, or by the horse step- 
ping on a rolling stone, &c. Heat, inflammation, ten- 
derness, short stepping, or rather curtsying, and dragging 
the limb along, will point out the place of this difficulty. 



120 avery's own farrier. 

Therefore, to cure this lameness only requires to contract 
and strengthen the muscles, for which astringents b&come 
necessary. 

Cure. — In the first place entire rest is necessary, bath- 
ing the parts well with cold water; then wash the joint 
with either the decoction of the oak bark and alum, or 
the tonic acid cut with alcohol, every morning; and 
every evening bathe it with the following: Take the 
whites of four or five hens' eggs, and a teacupfull of lard 
and rye flour, about half and half, beat them into a paste, 
and rub it on with the hand. Then warm it in with a 
hot stone or brick, applying it over and about the stifle 
joint, This will make sufficient for several dressings, 
and probably enough to cure the lameness, which will 
not last longer than two or three days at most. 



CHAPTER XX. 

TREATMENT OF WOUNDS. 

Clean all wounds well if possible without washing, 
but if found necessary, do it with cold water. Restore 
the injured parts as near as possible to their original 
situation, and retain them there by means of stitches and 
bandages. Or if not expedient to do this, shave off the 
hair, when sticking plasters with or without bandaging 
may be employed. When stitches are employed, take 
them deep enough not to have them tear out, and about 
one inch apart when the wound is of considerable size, 
and every time there is a stitch taken, tie the thread and 
cut it off. 



121 

When you do not see a wound until the skin is dried 
and curled up, then pare the dried skin and flesh off, so 
as to leave the surface as smooth as you can, otherwise 
it will leave a scar or blemish when healed up. Subdue 
the inflammation of the parts by cooling lotions, poul- 
tices or fomentations, as the case may require. If the 
wound is sufficient to cause general inflammation, subdue 
it by low diet, bleeding and purging. Leave it now to 
nature until matter appears, or apply the salve of which 
there is a formula given under the head of Joint Lee. If 
at any time proud flesh appears, or the wound looks 
dead and blackish, touch it occasionally with tincture of 
aloes or gum myrrh, and syringe it with rum in which 
loaf sugar and blue vitrol have been dissolved. This 
will cleanse the wound and assist in healing it. When 
a wound looks red, and this bad flesh rises up, the scrap- 
ings of an old powder horn may be laid on it a short 
time to advantage, after which syringe with the above. 
In hot weather, when the animal runs out in the field, 
and sometimes if confined, wounds often get fly-blown 
and full of maggots. They should be covered with 
spirits of turpentine and the juice of the poison elder 
leaves and bark. After a wound is nearly or quite 
healed, it should be dressed with sweet oil to assist in 
restoring the hair. 

Where a vein or artery is severed in a wound, and it 
is difficult to take it up on account of its location, or 
for the want of skill to perform the operation, the fol- 
lowing articles will be found useful for the purpose of 
stopping the blood: Alum, wheat flour, salt, the scrap- 
ings from the inside of sole leather, and puff balls, by 
11 



122 

applying them to the parts; and the oil of fire weed also 
is good for this purpose; and even when the wound is 
where you can not get at it in any other way, you may 
take this oil, cut it with alcohol, and burn it underneath, 
so that the smoke thereof will reach the vein or artery. 
It has a powerful effect in stopping the blood. Horses 
are sometimes taken bleeding profusely at the nose, in 
consequence of a fall, a blow, or carrying too heavy a 
load on their backs, which may be remedied by blowing 
flour or salt up the nostrils. Sometimes tieing the head 
up as high as you can, for a short time, will have the 
desired effect. 

It should be remembered that we can give only the 
general outlines for the treatment of this class of wounds. 
They must be seen to enable us to judge accurately of 
their treatment in all cases, as the manner in which they 
are made and their location are so various. For we can 
not speak of them with the same freedom that we could 
after seeing them, or those that we are under the neces- 
sity of making. 

STRANGLES, OR HORSE DISTEMPER. 

This is caused by a neglected cold, or by some con- 
stitutional liability. It is a disease of the glands and 
throat, which become swollen, hot and inflamed, reach- 
ing also the muscles of the tongue, when the whole be- 
comes swollen and very sore. 

Symptoms. — The countenance dull, eyes and nose run, 
glands swollen behind the jaw; he refuses his food in 
consequence of its hurting him to swallow; constant 



123 

thirst without being able to drink unless it is held up to 
him, and altogether producing more or less cough. 

Cure. — Bleed copiously from the neck vein; give sul- 
phur and asafcetida in small quantities in bran mashes, 
if possible to make him eat it. Give the following 
drench twice or three times a day; take half a pint of 
vinegar, a tablespoonfull each of fine salt and cayenne 
pepper. Sage tea, with a little alum dissolved in it, is 
also a very good wash for the mouth; you may also 
steam and foment the throat, by an outer application of 
bitter herbs steeped in vinegar, and applied hot as the 
horse can bear it. 

This is a very troublesome disease to the horse, but 
not dangerous unless the swelling continues until he dies 
by suffocation before it breaks. But it is very important 
to attend to this disease in the early stages thereof, to pre- 
vent its breaking on the inside of ihe throat (which often 
causes thick wind); to prevent which it sometimes be- 
comes necessary to lance it on the outside. And it is some- 
times the case in this disease, that the throat is so closed 
by the swelling, that it is impossible for the animal to 
swallow food enough to support nature until the swelling 
abates. It may become necessary (as in lock jaw) to 
resort to clysters, which may be made by thickening 
warm water with oat meal, then let it boil a few min- 
utes only, and when cool make a little sweet with sale 
molasses. This makes a very nutritious gruel for the 
above use, and will be very beneficial if you can turn a 
very little of it down the natural way. It will answer 
in this as well as in many other diseases. 



124 



SPRUNG KNEES AND STRING HALT. 

The first of these is caused by straining, hard driving 
down hill, &c, leaving weak joints, and causing con- 
traction of the fore arm that draws up the cords and ren- 
ders them useless to the support of the joint. Now it is 
useless to think of doctoring the cords for this complaint, 
for this reason: it is impossible to relax a cord, but by 
relaxing the muscles, it will drop the cord and relieve the 
limb. 

String Halt is caused by overdoing, exposure to wet 
and cold, or long standing without exercise. It is a con- 
traction of the muscles, the same as the former, only it 
is confined to the hind legs. It consists of an involun- 
tary use or false action of a muscle, which overacts, jerk- 
ing one of the legs almost up to the belly, and sometimes 
both in their turn, instead of moving gracefully and na- 
tural. Although this seldom injures the horse to any 
great extent for service, it is very unpleasant to the eye; 
and being of the same nature as the former, they both 
require the same mode of treatment. A horse troubled 
with string halt is not so bad in warm weather as he is 
in cold, for then the muscles are more relaxed. Anything 
that will relax these muscles will give momentary relief, 
if it does no more. I have seen an evident improvement 
for the time being made by merely bathing the limbs in 
hot water. 

Cure. — Bathe the limbs from the knees or gambrels 
up to the body well with a strong decoction of tobacco, 
every day (until relief is found), and an hour or two 
after rub on with the hand over these muscles either of 
the following oils, with a very little spirits of turpentine 



avery's own farrier. 125 

added to them, being classed as to their virtues in relax- 
ing these muscles as they are set down, the last the best, 
viz: the oil of cedar, skunk's oil, bear's oil, turtle's oil, 
frog's oil. 

While using the above for sprung knees you should 
also wash the joints with some astringent; a decoction of 
the white oak and sweet apple tree bark is good for this 
purpose. In recent injuries of this kind, a permanent cure 
may be expected. 

To make a Star or Blaze. — If you should happen to 
have a pair of horses that are well matched, except that 
one has a star or blaze in the face and the other not, it 
would be very desirable, as well as important, to have 
them look just alike in this respect, which can be accom- 
plished in the following manner: Take a razor and shave 
off the hair close about the form and size you want to 
make white; then rub it over once, or twice may be 
necessary, with oil of vitriol; after this the place will 
become a little sore and inflamed, when the incrustation 
should be removed, and the spot healed by washing the 
sore with copperas water. When nearly healed up, rub 
it over once with sweet oil, and the hair will grow out 
white as you desire it. 

There is still another method by which the same ob- 
ject may be accomplished, and by some may be preferred 
to the above. Spread a plaster of hot pitch, the size 
and shape you wish the star to be made, and lay it on 
the place, letting it remain two or three days, or until it 
brings the hair off with it, and leaves the spot a little 
sore and tender. If this is not sufficiently deep and sore 
enough, you can rub on a little vitriol. Then take a 



126 avery's own farrier. 

quantity of the weed called smart, a very little water, 
bruise the weed so as to obtain its juice, and use this as 
a wash until the face gets well. The hair will grow out 
white, and you will feel perfectly satisfied for the trouble 
it has cost you. 

To spot a White or Bay Horse with Black Spots. — The 
curious sometimes take nitrate of silver, about forty or 
fifty grains to the ounce of rain water, and paint the 
places they wish to make black, which immediately turns 
the color on one or two applications. The speckled ap- 
pearance that some of the circus horses make in the ring, 
has been the result of the following, viz: Take three 
ounces of litharge, and six ounces quick lime; beat fine, 
mix them together, and boil in two quarts of sharp ley 
in a kettle, and you will have a fatty substance that will 
swim on the surface. With this you can paint the places 
you design to have black, and it will turn to that color 
immediately. The marvelous can have their wishes 
gratified if they wish to make black spots on a bay 
horse, by taking equal parts of lime and litharge, and 
boiling them in fresh water only, and what rises on the 
surface will be ready for use. What hairs you touch 
with this in the evening will be black the next morning. 

A TRIBUTE TO THE HORSE. 

No. 1. They should always have what they choose to 
lick of clay and salt. 

No. 2. Give a spoonfull once a week of equal parts of 
alum, ginger and red pepper pulverized, to be given in 
their food. 

No. 3. Or for old stagers, take one pound of each, 



avery's own farrier. 127 

saltpetre, alum and sulphur; pulverize and mix them to- 
gether and feed a tablespoonfull once a week. 

No. 4. Give a spoonfull twice a week of pure ground 
mustard, and if the horse is habitually costive, add, once 
a week, a spoonfull of sulphur. 

A change of food occasionally is beneficial to the 
horse, but it should be so regulated as not to feed at one 
time very light and loosening food, and at another time 
heavy kinds of grain. For instance: not to feed for 
any length of time all roots, apples, &c, and then break 
off from the roots, and feed nothing but grain. A 
mixed diet is preferable. The grain you feed with roots 
you get the full benefit of, for the peptic acid contained 
in the roots causes a thorough digestion of the grain. 
Judicious feeding and driving will do much towards pre- 
venting diseases. "And it is cheaper to pay the butcher 
than the doctor." When you feed clear corn, new T 
or old, give it to them on the ear, or boil it if you 
choose. If you have it ground, make it into pudding by 
scalding it, but do not feed dry meal, for it is too often 
destructive. And verily I say unto you not to feed cob 
meal at all, for this is too clogging and hard of diges- 
tion, and contains too much alkali for the horse; it often 
bakes in the maw and kills them. 

Swelled Legs. — Some horses are troubled with swollen 
legs, caused by long standing in the stable without exer- 
cise, or when first brought in from grazing in the fall of 
the year. When this is the case, give sulphur in small 
quantities daily for a week; give also, twice in the week, 
some powdered sassafras bark. In the mean time rub 
the leg once a day for a week with the following: 



128 avery's own farrier. 

Take two ounces of spirits of hartshorn, eight ounces of 
olive oil, one ounce of gum camphor, and half a pint of 
good alcohol; mix these together and it is fit for use. 
In some obstinate cases of this kind, it may be best to 
muffle the limb, and sweat it by pouring on cold water. 
And if the horse is in high condition, bleed, regulating 
the quantity of blood taken according to the severity of 
the case. But if the difficulty arises from debility or 
starvation, then never bleed. 

Good Stable Management. — "Consists in keeping the 
stalls clean, removing every day all the litter or bedding 
that becomes wet with urine, for decomposition very 
soon commences after this is saturated with urine and 
excrement, which sends forth a vapor like hartshorn and 
gas," that is very injurious to the eye, lungs and feet 
of the horse. A free use of the card and brush is indis- 
pensable, and more particularly so with the horse that 
does not have regular exercise; for this opens the pores 
of the skin and lets the insensible perspiration escape, 
which makes up in a great measure for the lack of exer- 
cise. A little asafoetida should be constantly kept in 
the manger where he eats his grain as a preventive 
against distempers and all infectious diseases. And 
where there is or has been any such disease present, the 
ceiling and walls should be washed with chloride of 
lime. Some horsemen, when they are going to have a 
hard drive or day's work to perform, will give their 
horse extra rest and food, in order to lay in a greater 
share of ability to accomplish it with, And in fact I 
have done so myself (and experience is the best of 
teachers); and I have been sadly disappointed in his 



avery's own farrier. 129 

failing to come up to my expectation in proportion to 
the extra care given him. Therefore, regular feeding 
and exercise are very important in good stable manage- 
ment. When by any cause you happen to miss giving 
your horse his regular meal, you should give only the 
usual quantity at the next. In the hands of some, the 
horse suffers wonderfully from thirst. Water should be 
given him a little at a time, and often, and in that way 
allow him all he chooses to drink, and it will not hurt 
him. But never let him drink two or three pailsfull at 
a time, as he often will after going without all day, and 
more especially when he is warm and fatigued, or when 
he is going to be sharply exercised immediately after. 

Feeding is a very important part of stable manage- 
ment; and I think you will agree with me in saying that 
good oats are the most natural and best kind of grain for 
steady feed, and for all kinds of business that is required 
of the horse; although corn, barley or wheat may, with 
advantage, if properly fed, be added to form a part of 
his food in cold weather, when he is employed at the 
heavier kinds of work. " Oats are best to be six months 
old at least, if they have been kept sweet and free from 
must. The old oat forms, when chewed, a smooth and 
uniform mass, which is easy of digestion, and yields all 
the nourishment it contains." The oat is said by chemists 
to contain seven hundred and forty-three parts out of a 
thousand of nutritive matter, which is much less than the 
other grains spoken of above, and they appear to be pe- 
culiarly adapted to the requirements of the horse; for 
when he has been long fed on oats he has been compara- 
tively healthy, and not so often attacked with colic or 



130 

inflammation of any of the internal organs as when fed 
on other kinds of grain. 

Feeding and rearing are closely connected with stable 
management, and have so much to do with the habits of 
a good horse. You will allow me to state here that 
buckwheat puts on fat and helps form bone of the ani- 
mal as fast as any kind of grain; consequently it is good 
for an occasional change of diet, as well as for its me- 
dicinal properties. But oats feed the muscles and give 
better action and livelier feeling than any other kind of 
grain; and they cause the colt to run and play more, 
giving strength and activity to the limbs and muscles. 
Therefore oats, being readily digested, plainly show why 
they are the best kind of grain for common use. " Un- 
less the horse is naturally disposed to scour, ground food 
is best." Many have supposed and practiced brining 
the hay and straw, thinking that their horse would eat 
much better and more of it. This undoubtedly is so, and 
may be useful some times to induce a sick horse to eat; 
but not unless he has been shamefully neglected before 
by not having what salt he wanted, when he eats it for 
the sake of the salt alone, and, by so doing, eats too 
much hay, if he does not eat too much must and other 
foul stuff that otherwise injures him. 

Every overseer and proprietor of the stable ought to 
understand the nature and formation of the foot; and 1 
might add to the above with propriety the shoe smiths. 
Some have frequently had the frog of the foot pared out 
very nicely in order to give beauty to the foot: Why? 
because it was the prevailing fashion. And after a few 
repetitions of the same, they would wonder why their 



avery's own farrier. 131 

horse was lame or unsure, and they would blame the 
smith because their horse was lame, tender-footed, hoof- 
contracted, &c. Now in my estimation, what causes pain, 
inflammation, rotten feet, arid even death itself, never adds 
anything to beauty. The frog is the natural brace and 
support of the foot, and will endure more knocking and 
pounding on the pavement or macadamized road without 
injury, than the horny part of the hoof — yes, and even 
the hardest shoe that was ever made. The frog is made 
elastic and springy for this purpose, and will stand more 
friction and hammering than two pieces of hardened steel 
of the same size. It would have been better for many 
a horse if the art of shoeing them had never been in- 
vented, than to have been treated as they have been in 
this respect. Most of the contracted hoofs, pumiced feet, 
and all those kindred diseases of the feet, are attributable 
to this abominable practice. By continually paring 
away the frog, it causes it to shrivel up, and in time you 
get an inferior one, and then the hoof contracts to it, and 
thus come narrow heels. The broad heel, round and 
tough foot that nature formed is lost. Therefore the im- 
portance of never making the frog acquainted with the 
knife at all, nor any edge tool whatever (except in a state 
of disease"), can not be too often repeated to the smiths, 
nor to others in charge of your stables. No, not even the 
ragged part thereof should ever be touched with the knife, 
for this helps serve as a protection to the envelope or 
membrane beneath, which again shields the more sensi- 
tive part of the foot; and nature will take care of it with- 
out our aid, or cast it off as fast as it becomes cumber- 
some to her. 



132 

Disinfectants , Deodizers and Fertilizers. — By the use 
of disinfectants we may prevent disease, give health to 
our animals, and make them more useful and valuable. 
And the thrift of many a farmer depends upon the accu- 
mulation and application of his fertilizers, which is all 
the bank he need be directly interested in. Haifa peck 
of onions, halved and run on a string, will prevent a 
horse from being infected with any kind of disease, if 
hung over him in the stall, even if one diseased stands 
in the next stall to him. The use of asafcetida (as be- 
fore stated) and the chloride of lime, brought to a solu- 
tion and applied to the ceiling and mangers where dis- 
eased animals have been fed, are undoubtedly two of the 
best articles employed in this way as disinfectants. But 
this is not all that can be done in this respect. Where 
horses are confined in stables, the effluvia or gases that 
are continually arising from filthy ones, are very injurious 
to their health, and are often the exciting cause of vari- 
ous diseases. This is witnessed in our cities most, or 
where there are a great many of them crowded together. 
Nor is this all the harm that is done by the stench that 
arises from large stables being filled with these useful 
animals. The common, or atmospheric air, becomes 
overcharged with these poisonous gases, and is thus 
drawn into the lungs of the horse, yes, and men's too, 
often causing violent and loathsome disease in both. 
There is a remedy for this, or an agent that will in a 
great measure prevent this evil, which is to be found in 
the common or muck earth, brought from the forest. 
One peck of either of these strewn under the horse at 
night, and then covered with straw to bed him in the 



avery's own farrier. 133 

usual way, will entirely eradicate this evil. As often as 
necessary for the above purpose, it should be removed 
and placed on the compost heap in the yard, and the 
stalls replenished with new, fresh earth; and if there 
should be a sprinkling of either or both of powdered 
charcoal and plaster of paris, mixed with it as it was 
put in the stalls, it would be all the better, and would 
more than doubly pay the expense as a fertilizer. The 
muck earth, as well as the other articles named, absorb 
the juices from whence this gas arises, and thus purifies 
the air of the stable, and instead of being left to waste, 
and work its worst influence on all that breathe it, it is 
turned to a profitable account as a fertilizer. Forest 
leaves and saw dust may be used as a substitute for the 
above, and as forming a part of the bedding to advantage. 

It is better to feed from a rack where they will have 
to reach up a little after their food, not only because 
their necks will come up better, but because reaching 
down is injurious to the knees, &c. And where they are 
to be fed from a manger, the bottom thereof should be 
raised as high as their knees on this account. 

In the best regulated armies of the world, the hay as 
well as the grain, is weighed out to each horse; twenty- 
five pounds of hay being considered all he ought to eat 
in twenty-four hours, on account of his health, and hav- 
ing him fit for hard service. The horse should not be 
fed more at a time than he will eat, to have it left for 
him to breathe over. 
12 



134 avery's own farrier. 



CHAPTER XXI. 
" The world is my country, and to do good is my religion." 

GLANDERS AND FARCY. 

This is a very difficult and important part of this work, 
and the more so in consequence of its always being con- 
sidered so fatal to the horse, and embarrassing because 
it has been pronounced incurable (by the learned pro- 
fession) from time immemorial. Perhaps I am the first 
to say that it has been cured. It is as easily managed as 
many other diseases. Among the various remedies here- 
tofore given there seem to be only two worthy of notice, 
or of much consequence to the horse or its owner, viz: 
The first of these is, to destroy the glandered horse im- 
mediately on suspicion being confirmed that he is such, 
for the safety of others around him. Now, this one 
certainly contains a moral that I can not object to, pro- 
vided the parties interested give their consent. The 
second consists in trading him off as soon as you have 
any suspicion of his having the glanders. This I will 
not attempt to answer here, only by saying, as Michael 
Hoffman said when challenged to fight, bad. 

Before I became acquainted with the nature and rava- 
ges of this disease, I used to wonder and think it strange 
that, among the thousand and one diseases that this noble 
creature was liable to, this one alone was incurable, 
while all the rest had so many remedies given for their 
cure. And I am rather inclined to think now, that this 
declaration, coming as often as it has from the learned 
(of the old school), has deterred many from an investi- 



avery's own farrier. 135 

gation of this subject. For man can do almost anything 
if he only thinks so, and sets himself to work in earnest 
about it, or, to say the least, what has been done can be 
done again. Now, supposing you were on board of a 
sinking ship at sea, which would be the best course to 
pursue, to proceed at once to stop the leak and thus save 
the vessel, or all hands go to bailing and pumping until 
she sunk with all on board? I think you will agree with 
me that the first thing to be done is to find the leak and 
then stop it. Thus it has been with this disease of the 
horse; all hands have engaged in pumping until the 
vessel has sunk to the bottom, or they have added fuel 
to the flame, by administering those nostrums that in- 
creased the difficulty instead of arresting it, until the 
horse has rotted down with the glanders. But they have 
never found the leak, consequently they did not know 
how to go to work to stop it. Glanders in the first 
stages is merely a local disease, which is as easily cured 
then as any other. But when allowed to run on until it 
becomes general, the difficulty increases in proportion 
as the disease approximates death. There is a constant 
secretion of fluid from the glands to lubricate and moisten 
the membrane that lines the cavity of the nose, and 
which, in cases of colds or catarrh, is increased in quan- 
tity and altered in appearance and consistence. It is 
also lessened and dried in cases of fever, &c. " But 
what is to be considered here, is the continued and pro- 
fuse discharge of thickened mucus from the nose, after 
every symptom of catarrh and fever have passed away," 
which is either continually running, or snorted out by 
the horse in masses, and finally leads on to glanders. 



136 

This inside lining, or membrane of the nostrils, affords 
the same assistance to the veterinarian as the tongue of 
a person does to the physician in cases of fevers, &c. 
Or, in a word, it is the thermometer of the lungs. When 
the horse is in health, this membrane assumes an even 
color, bearing to that of a pink flush; but in inflammation 
it sympathises with other parts, and partakes of a darker 
red. Inflammation of the lungs, however, as well as 
glanders, sometimes gives it purple spots. It is ex- 
tremely sensitive for the purpose of smell, &c, and is 
indicative of the severity and character of disease. It 
often suffers from the poisonous vapors arising in ill- 
ventilated and worse cleaned stables; for such ones 
oftenest witness the ravages of glanders. Every exciting 
cause of disease exerts its chief and worst influence on 
the membrane of the nose. "And there are scarcely any 
other disease of the horse which may not lay the founda- 
tion of glanders." 

Glanders is in a high degree contagious, but unless 
this glandery matter comes in contact with some broken 
skin, sore, or delicate membrane, as that of the nostrils, 
it is not likely to produce a similar disease. But in this 
way man is as liable to be infected with it as the horse, 
and may prove as fatal to him; consequently great care 
is lequisite in handling a glandery horse, and this should 
not be lost sight of for a moment if you should ever have 
the curiosity to dissect one that has died with this dis- 
ease, for if you should happen to cut even your finger 
(during the operation) with the knife that is besmeared 
with the blood or any of this matter, you are infected 
with it. 



AVERY S OWN FARRIER. 



137 



Glanders is a local disease, in the first place, and 
commences on the glands and membrane of the nose. 
It is caused by neglected colds, catarrh, and many other 
diseases, as well as by bad stable management and con- 
tagion, which leaves a taint on this sensitive organ, and, 
if not arrested in time either by art or nature, it soon 
reaches the salivary glands, which causes them to harden 
and swell. The horse may remain in this stage of the 
disease, comparatively, for a considerable time, without 
becoming materially affected in health or usefulness. 
"Although he may have given it to great numbers of 
others that have been hurried off to the shades before 
him," unless some other exciting cause of disease sets 
in with it, he may continue along indefinitely. Some 
have attempted to dry up this superfluous discharge at 
the nose, thinking that was aU that was required to 
effect a cure, or get them in a condition to trade off to 
advantage. But tjiey have been wofully disappointed. 
To expect a cure, this discharge must be promoted in- 
stead of trying to dry it up, and at the same time cleanse 
and heal this membrane and glands, and restore them to 
their office and original purity. '*' It will be borne in 
mind, that this discharge at the nose of the horse, 
answers him the same purpose that spitting does with 
the human species." 

Symptoms that characterize this disease in the first 
stages thereof, are an increased discharge from the nose, 
and from whatever cause it may arise, it must be re- 
garded with suspicion. But when it continues for any 
length of time, and is small in quantity and thin in 
appearance, and the glands swell, and cleave or adhere 



138 avery's own farrier. 

to the jaw bone, whether the matter discharged from 
the nose be purulent or gluey, it matters not; no time 
should be lost before using the following remedies, which 
are worth a good horse to any one having much to do 
with horses, for its reliability in preventing and curing 
this disease. 

Cure. — First, let the horse inhale the fumes or steam 
of saltpetre dissolved in vinegar, poured on a hot stone 
under his nose, for a few minutes each day, for a week, 
each day after this has been done, anoint the septum of 
the nose well up in both nostrils, with the following, 
by means of a piece of sponge fastened to a whalebone 
or splinter: Take one drachm of kreosote, one ounce of 
lard, and triturate them together, when it is fit for use. 
For a few days after this use mullen oil in the nose, as 
above; and if the glands are much enlarged, or cleave 
to either jawbone instead of hanging loose between 
them, as they do in health, rub them also, and the jaw 
about where they cleave, with frog's oil. This changes 
the action of the mucus membranes, and consequently 
changes the matter sent forth, restoring the parts to health. 
Reader, do not suppose that this is all there is of this 
disease, nor all that can be said of it here, for I have 
only given you the treatment to be observed in the first 
stages thereof. But go with me a little further and see 
what it may lead to. Sooner or later, according to the 
condition and constitution of the animal, this poisonous 
matter, arising from the foregoing causes, after tainting 
the above named organs, is taken up, and, by the activity 
of the absorbents, is thrown into the circulation of the 
blood, and then diffused over every part of the system 



139 

and carried by the blood vessels into the lungs, "where 
all the blood passes many times every hour, and there 
undergoes a change," by exposure to air, &c; therefore, 
it is of permanent importance to preserve the blood in a 
healthy condition, because the blood is the vital fluid 
and principle of life; and when it is affected, the whole 
organization is affected also. When this poison enters 
the circulating fluid, then it is that this disease begins 
to become general, and loses the title of the local one. 
Diseased particles being carried into the lungs with the 
blood, these organs are next to suffer from this poison, 
whence arise little tubercles on them; after the forma- 
tion of which, there may be seen very small ulcers and 
purple spots on the inside of the nostrils. The matter 
discharged from these is more varied in color and con- 
sistence — that is, more purulent at times, and gluey or 
streaked with red at others, which mislead as to the 
character of this disease. 

Here is a very critical period of this disease. It is 
either carried now by the large blood vessels to the head, 
when the brain becomes the principal seat and sufferer 
(of which I shall speak hereafter) or it is taken along 
by the absorbents to the extremities. " Along the 
course of these absorbents are natural valves of the lining 
membrane thereof, which are pressed against the sides 
of the vessels, and permit the fluid to pass in a direction 
towards the chest, impeding its progress from the chest." 
This poisonous matter, coming in contact with these 
sensitive organs, excite and cause them to become in- 
flamed and swollen, which makes them appear like 
corded veins that rise up and break, from which oozes 



140 

more of this poisonous matter. Before these break they 
have been called by farriers, farcy buds, which has given 
the disease the name of farcy. They are evident to the 
eye, and will first be observed about the lips, inside of 
the thighs, and along the flanks. This is by no means 
the most alarming stage of the disease; for even now 
the horse has been restored to health and usefulness by 
the following management, viz.- attend strictly to the 
directions given for cure in the first stage, &c. ; and if 
these buds have broken, syringe them wi'h rum, contain- 
ing a little blue vitriol and loaf sugar dissolved. Feed 
the horse from four to eight quarts of buckwheat a day 
for a week or more. After which he may have some 
tonic medicine given to strengthen and invigorate the 
system, but never bleed in case of glanders. 

Such medicines as can not be concealed in the animal's 
food, is best to be given in the_form of drinks, and in 
some cases the quantity to be given is so small that too 
much is absorbed before reaching the place you wish it 
to act upon most. Therefore if you can get any kind of 
food that contains the same medicinal properties, it has 
a better effect upon the system generally than any medi- 
cine that you can give in small quantities. Of this the 
buckwheat is an example in the cases it is recommended 
for. 

When the above symptoms of this disease have been 
witnessed, the brain or head is left comparatively 
healthy except this nasal discharge. But when they are 
not, and the inflammation of the nasal organs or glands, 
has continued for a considerable time without their ap- 
pearing, then it has been carried in a more direct channel 



141 

to the head through the large blood vessels, when the 
brain becomes affected with the poison, and then it is 
that the disease is more likely to prove fatal, and has 
led some to suppose that the disease originated in this 
organ. At this stage it is that the symptofns of the dis- 
ease are different from what they were in the foregoing 
stages, in this respect. The nasal discharge is increased 
and of a darker color or blackish, and sometimes streaked 
with blood, and the whole system is more rapidly in- 
volved by it. There will be an evident tenderness about 
the temples and forehead, accompanied with heat, &c; 
the eyes run, and all the little sinuses or cells of the face 
and head are filled with matter. 

Cure, if there be any. — Continue the above remedies 
faithfully. It may be expedient to rowel the throat or 
jaw near the place where this gland cleaves to it. The 
forehead and temples should be rubbed well every day 
with the mullen oil. " Iodine, in the form of iodide of 
potash," says Small, " is useful and scarcely ever fails to 
disperse enlargement of the glands, or hardened tumors, 
whether under or at the sides of the jaw, or round the 
joints." One part of the iodide of potash must be mixed 
with six of lard, and the ointment well rubbed round the 
parts every day. This may be employed to advantage in 
the room of the rowels spoken of above. The same is 
also very useful to arrest the growth of tubercles on the 
lungs, and even to disperse them. when recently formed. 
And when there is a cough attending the other symptoms 
of glanders, the iodide of potash may be given in doses 
of three grains, morning and evening, in bran mashes, 
at the commencement of the treatment, and gradually 



142 

increased to six grains, and continued until the cough 
abates and the condition of the horse has improved; or 
the ergot of rye may be used internally, as a substitute 
for the iodide of potash. 

The brain of a horse that dies of glanders, is some- 
times wholly changed to a sort of gangrenous matter; 
or near the base of the brain there will appear a sack 
filled with the same. Veterinarians have bored through 
the frontal bone of the face for the purpose of letting out 
the matter collected in the cells and sinuses of the head, 
without any injuries resulting to the horse. Shepherds 
have been successful in curing what they call water in 
the head of sheep, by running a sharpened wire up the 
nostrils, through the sack that contained this water on the 
brain, and thus let it out; and sometimes they have bored 
through the skull for the same purpose with equal suc- 
cess, penetrating the brain in both instances. The brain 
of a horse may be bored into, or cut, or even a part of 
it extracted, without destroying the life of the animal. 
You may cut the brain without producing any sensation 
of pain to the horse, notwithstanding you hurt any other 
part, while at the same time the brain being the seat of 
pain. Why, says some one, this is a very broad asser- 
tion. Very well, I know it involves the question again 
of this organ being the motive power, or the originator 
of all the motions of the limbs, &c, which might be car- 
ried much farther than my time or purpose would admit 
of here. But if it were not for the sensation produced 
by this organ on other parts, it would not produce pain 
to cut off a leg any more than it would to cut off a stick 
of w ? ood. 



143 

Will some genius have the goodness to tell us in what 
way we may be able to save the life of a glandery horse 
after the disease has so far. advanced that medicine can 
not save him from his untimely doom? 



CHAPTER XXII. 

CRITERIA OF AGE, &C. 



" It is not what people profess that makes them righteous, but 
what they possess " and practice. 

To be able to judge correctly as to the age of the 
horse, by those who are dealing in them, is of great im- 
portance, as the real value of a horse so often depends 
on this one point, because there is so much jockeying 
practiced in this respect. To do this with perfection 
would require something more than book learning; it 
would require the closest observation, with the experi- 
ence of years, of the teeth and other parts, of such 
animals as you might know the age of, as well as others, 
from the youngest to the oldest, which is the true school 
in which to graduate in this particular branch of instruc- 
tion. Although much may be learned from books to 
assist one in his observations, yet after a little experience 
in this way, he need not be deceived much as to the age 
of a horse. 

The colt should be foaled with four front teeth, two 
upper and two lower ones, though it often happens that 
he is foaled without any; but in this case, these front 
teeth soon appear, for he can not suck well until they 



144 avery's own farrier. 

do. With these also appear four double teeth, or grind- 
ers, viz: one in each jaw above and below, and have 
been called the first of the natural mill stones, used for 
the purpose of grinding down the vegetable fibre and fit 
it for swallowing and easy digestion. Having already 
his four front teeth, which are called the pinchers, at 
about ten days old the colt puts forth four others, one on 
each side of the former ones, above and below, called 
the separators. At about two months old, he begins to 
shed his first coat, which may be seen in small spots 
about the hocks, thighs and nose, which he generally 
gets entirely rid of by the time he is four months old. 
The time of cutting all his first teeth varies, however, 
according to the maturity of the colt at the time of par- 
turition, and the fare he happens to meet with afterwards. 
Somewhere from six to ten months old he cuts the four 
corner teeth; after these are up there is not much ob- 
servable difference in the front teeth (except in the wear 
of them) until after the colt is past two years old. 
" During this time, resource must be had mainly to the 
coat alone. A yearling colt has a rough coat, some- 
thing like that of a water spaniel dog; and the hair of 
the mane and tail feels soft like flax, and hangs like 
untwisted ropes; whereas, a two-year old has a flat 
coat, mane and tail, like that of an old horse." At one 
year old, the colt has four grinders above and below, in 
each jaw; at two years old the fifth pair will appear to 
view, and at three years old, the sixth, making twenty- 
four grinders in all. The teeth that first appear are the 
first to be shed, and their places supplied with new ones. 
Therefore, the first grinders are changed at two years 



145 

old; at three or three and a half, the second pair will 
be shed. At four years old, the sixth pair of grinders 
will be level with the others, and the tushes will begin 
to push up. From four to five years old, the last im- 
portant change in the colt's teeth takes place; the corner 
teeth are shed, and the tushes are up. The three last 
pair of grinders and the tushes are not shed or changed 
for new ones at all. 

But we will now go back for the purpose of examin- 
ing the colt's teeth a little further, which are always 
large and broad compared with those that follow them. 
From two to two and a half years old, they shed the four 
first front teeth, which are supplied with new ones, like 
all the rest, in regular rotation as they first appeared. 
From three to three and a half years old, they shed the 
four next, or separators; and from four to four and a half, 
they shed the four corner teeth, as stated above. " The 
horse carries forty teeth, viz, twenty-four grinders, 
twelve front teeth, and four tushes," which are called 
his horse teeth, while the mare has onlv thirty-six, she 
not generally having the four tushes except in old age. 

We are now done with the colt teeth, and will pro- 
ceed to say something more about those of the horse. 
His front teeth appear in the skeleton like several rings, 
placed one inside the other, forming a rough surface for 
the purpose of masticating food, &c, or like a nest of 
crucibles with their glazed and hardened edges sufficient 
to withstand the fire, and melt whatever metal may be 
placed in them. While in nature, the inside ones are 
hollow, as follows: There is a deep black hole in the 

centre of each tooth of an oblong shape, which is shortest 
13 



146 

in the middle teeth, a little longer in the next, or sepa- 
rators, and longest in the corner teeth. Between the 
age of five and six, the four front teeth fill up in the 
centre, and, instead of the holes above mentioned, have 
only a black ring. Between the age of six and seven, 
the four separators fill up in a like manner. And be- 
tween seven and nine, the corner teeth fill up also; but, 
generally speaking, the corner teeth present a level sur- 
face at eight years old. You can not depend on the wear 
of the teeth as much as a great many have imagined. 
Something may be known relative to the age of the horse 
by the tushes, which are sharp on the point, and have 
two grooves on the inside of them running from the 
point quite down to the gum. The tushes continue to 
grow in size until the horse is about eight or nine years 
old, after which they begin to be more blunt on the point, 
and smooth on the inside. At the age of ten, these 
grooves are scarcely discernible by the eye or finger, 
and at twelve they wholly disappear, when the tush 
becomes quite round and blunt, and is of no further use 
for the object in question, except in the wear of them. 
The front teeth are always broad and thin in a young 
horse, and grow 7 thicker and narrower with age, until he 
is twelve years old, when they become as thick as they 
are broad, at which time they begin to round off and he 
is said to be in his teens. After he arrives at this age, 
the teeth wear off quite fast, and by the time he is from 
fifteen to twenty, the front teeth become entirely round. 
The gum also (in a young horse), covering the front 
teeth, has the form of a low arch, and as the teeth round 
off the gum settles down between them, making the 



147 

teeth look longer and the arch higher, until it takes the 
shape of a gothic roof, so that the smaller and rounder 
the teeth, and the more the gum approximates this shape, 
the greater the age of the' horse must be. Now these 
marks of the teeth seldom, if ever, all fail in the same 
mouth. Though one or two may vary a few years, a 
majority of them will disclose the truth as to the real 
age, &c. 

" The general indications of old age, independent of 
the teeth, are deepening of the hollows over the eyes, 
gray hairs about the forehead and nose, thinness and 
hanging down of the lips, sharpness of the withers, and 
sinking of the back, accompanied with a tetering gait." 

Much can be told by the general appearance and 
action of the horse relative to his age. But this is not 
all; there are certain marks whereby the age may be 
determined pretty accurately by a close observer. Until 
he arrives at the age of seven or eight years old, the 
eyelids are marked only by very fine wrinkles that num- 
ber from six to eight. Every successive year after this, 
there is an evident deepening of one of those wrinkles 
that the age maybe counted from, after he is eight years 
old, when the gray hairs will begin to appear. Although 
these marks are not very reliable to the casual observer, 
yet some may profit by them. 

There is another method of knowing when a horse is 
past twelve years old, viz: the inside of the nostrils are 
red or flesh color, which comes down on a true circle 
generally within an inch or two of the rim or hair on 
the muzzle. Below the edge of this red circle, the color 
of the nostril is of a darker tint, varying according to the 



148 

color of the horse; and after the horse is past twelve, 
the edge of this circle begins to be broken up with white 
spots, making it look like saw teeth, or one of these white 
spots will sometimes appear half an inch below the circle, 
and about as large as a common sized pea, which in- 
creases in size with the age of the horse, or another one 
is added every year. These marks, also, may aid one 
considerably in determining the age; but to have them 
reliable, they must have been examined previous to their 
appearance. And again there are other marks whereby 
a man of observation may tell the age of a horse as well 
in the dark as by daylight, that is, by feeling of the lips, 
jaws, neck and tail, which are as follows: The neck of 
all horses under the age of four years, will feel perfectly 
smooth from the head to the breast, notwithstanding the 
condition they may be in. At the age of five years you 
can feel on either side of the neck, about midway from 
the jaw to the breast, a small bunch about the size of 
half a chestnut; also by passing the fingers immediately 
over the cervical vertebrae or bones of the neck, which 
are seven in number, consequently there are six joints in 
the neck, exclusive of where they join on to the head 
and back; and every five years adds another bunch over 
one of these joints, until there may be six counted. These 
bunches grow somewhat after they can be felt, and are 
plain to be seen with the eye in old age, which is caused 
by the shrinking away of the flesh between the joints. 
The same rule holds good also with the tail, with only 
this difference: the joint next to the body is the first to 
appear enlarged, which takes place about the time they 
shed the first colt teeth; and each year adds one other 



avery's own farrier. 149 

enlarged or matured joint, and so on to the end of the 
tail, which generally numbers fifteen. These marks may- 
vary a trifle in different horses, but, generally, they are 
as plainly felt as the nose on a man's face. The j'-iw 
bone of all young horses is quite as thick and round on 
the edge, and near the bifurcation or junction above the 
chin, as your finger. At about eight or nine years old, 
this bone begins to flatten and grow sharper on the edge, 
until you find it in a very old horse as sharp as the back 
of a knife blade. Now a careful and experienced hand 
in this matter can tell the age of any horse by feeling, 
with his eyes closed, certainly within two or three years, 
and some will not vary over one year in going over a 
dozen horses. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

YELLOW WATER AND JAUNDICE. 

This is a very common disease in some sections of the 
country; and being infectious, it is sometimes brought 
into our cities by horses intended for the market, &c. It 
is also extremely fatal in its consequences, unless some 
measures are taken in the commencement of the disease 
to impede its progress. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms attending this disease are 
very striking; the eyes, lips and bars of the mouth as- 
sume a yellowish cast, and attending which are low 
spirits and loss of appetite. The excrement is hard and 
yellow, or of a bright color. The urine will be of a very 
dark color, and, after being discharged a little while, 



150 AVERY's OWN FARRIER. 

looks like blood. One evident symptom of this disease 
will appear on pulling out some of the hair from the 
mane or tail, which will be dry and curled on the end 
and yellowish, instead of white as in health. The whole 
circulating fluid of the system appears to be affected by 
this disease, which proceeds from a disordered liver. To 
effect a cure the bile needs to be regulated, which helps 
to restore the blood to its former healthy condition. 

Cure. — Take two drachms each of gum camphor and 
asafcetida, dissolve and give as a drench every morning 
in a pint of old cider. Make a tea by steeping the bark 
of the common wild black cherry tree, scalding a gallon 
of wheat bran with it, and give the horse everyday, 
after adding a spoonfull of the dried and pulverized root 
of burdock. Be sure not to bleed. Let his exercise be 
regular but not hard; give him a good rubbing and 
stabling, and his health will soon improve. 

Recipe for the Cure of Yellow Water. — Take two hen's 
eggs and two spoonsfull of soot, or powdered charcoal; 
beat them together, and give fhe horse every day until 
he is better; in bran, if he will eat it prepared in this 
way; if not, prepare some more and give in a drench of 
cherry or mint tea. 

DEAFNESS. 

I would as soon drive a blind horse as a deaf one, and 
it much oftener happens to be the case. People do not 
generally know or think what the difficulty is with their 
horse. You may know when the horse is troubled with 
deafness, by his not paying any regard to the word of 
his master, either in starting or stopping, until he sees 



avery's own farrier. 151 

or feels the whip or motion of the reins. This is some- 
times caused by colds, fevers, blows, &c, which cause 
the ear wax to collect and remain in the drum of the ear 
until deafness is the result." 

Cure. — Turn a teaspoonfull of the extract of swamp 
ash bark into each ear, two mornings in succession. 
Then for a few days following, turn in a few drops of 
either skunk's or woodchuck's oil. One week is generally 
sufficient to cure the worst cases of deafness, unless it is 
the effect of old age, and then it would be useless to 
tamper with it. 

SCALDED OR GALLED BREAST. 

Now it frequently happens in the spring and autumn 
of the year, when farmers begin their farm work, that 
their horses' breasts become very sore and badly galled, 
as well as canal and other horses used for draft. The 
skin being more tender at this season of the year in con- 
sequence of the horse shedding the old hair and the sud- 
den growth of the new. As a preventive for this diffi- 
culty, keep your harness clean and soft. Wash all the 
sweat and dust off from the horse's breast every noon 
and evening with cold water, and also every morning 
with a decoction of hemlock, or white ash bark, not very 
strong. This will not only harden the breast, but it will 
prevent the collar from chafing and making it sore. 
Refrain from putting on any kind of oil or grease while 
using the horse, for this will catch all the dust, and the 
grit thereof will surely make a sore. 

Cure. — Treat as you would any other sore; or observe 
entire rest, and leave to nature. When you continue to 



152 

use the horse with a sore breast, apply every evening 
the wormwood herb steeped in chamber lye, cleaning 
well in the morning before laying on the harness. If 
allowed rest, the remedy given for burns is very quick 
and effectual. 

TETANUS, OR LOCK JAW. 

This is not unfrequently brought on by some very 
slight cause, as cuts, blows, or derangement of the nerves 
and muscles. It commences with a difficulty in masti- 
cation, and finally the jaws become immoveable; and 
unless it immediately precedes dissolution (as is often the 
case with other diseases), relief can be obtained in the 
following manner: 

Cure. — Wash the jaws and neck well with a strong 
decoction of tobacco for an hour, and if it is possible to 
make him swallow by turning it into his mouth or be- 
tween his teeth, give him near a gill of the hot drops. 
A free use of the frog's oil on the jaws and about the 
throat afterwards, will be very beneficial. 

POLL EVIL. 

Is caused by a blow or bruise. It may be caused 
sometimes by the horse pulling on the halter, and bruising 
the top of the head in that way which causes a swelling 
there, which is the first symptom of this disease. Or it 
may be caused by the horse throwing his head up sud- 
denly in low stables, &c. In the onset it should be 
treated as any other swelling to disperse it, for which 
the clay and vinegar poultice may be found useful, or 
hot fomentations of vinegar and wormwood, after which 



avery's own farrier. 153 

it may be washed with camphoretted spirits, or any of 
the stimulating liniments; or it can be scattered by using 
the yolks of hen's eggs and sugar, as given in recipes; 
and sometimes it is only necessary to shower the parts a 
few times with cold water, and then apply the liniment 
to effect a cure. But if allowed to run on until it breaks 
and forms into pipes, and discharges from thence, then a 
different mode of treatment will be required. Now, here 
comes another long kept secret, and a great mystery to 
some, which may be the means of doing some good in 
the world if made public. The poll evil, after arriving 
at this stage of the disease, requires precisely the same 
treatment to effect a cure, that the cancer does in the 
human species. The following remedies have saved 
thousands from a premature grave: 

Cure.— Instead of using the knife or hot iron (as in 
olden times), by which many a valuable horse has been 
lost, apply the following remedies, which are three in 
number; the first is the mildest and sufficient to cure 
in the first stages of this disease. It is what the Indians 
use to cure all red spots on the face, or other parts, 
which, if let alone, often terminate in cancer. The first 
is simply to take pure tobacco (a good Spanish cigar 
for instance) and reduce it to ashes, then wet it up in 
the form of a poultice with spittle from the mouth and 
apply it to the sore. The second is red oak bark, re- 
duced to ashes, then leached, and the lye boiled down to 
a kind of salve, and applied as above. Or it may be 
obtained by boiling a quantity of the bark sufficient to 
get the strength, and then strain and boil down. The 
third remedy is the most sure, as it is the most powerful; 



154 

it being what the celebrated cancer doctors of the age 
call the real kill devil, pretending it only grows in 
some obscure place on the Catskill mountains, &c, and 
is commonly known by the name of swamp ash. Either 
the black or red ash (fraximus pubescens) will answer. 
The bark only is to be used for this purpose, and that 
reduced to ashes and leached, and the lye boiled down 
to a salve, &c, which should be applied once or twice 
a day until these pipes or roots are eaten entirely out. 
Clean off the excrescence every time before applying any 
more salve, with castile scap and water, using as much 
perfumery or as little as you choose on the surrounding 
parts. When this is thoroughly done, use the following 
salve until it is healed up smooth: Take equal parts of 
yellow pine turpentine and honey, with a quantity equal 
to both the former of a decoction of the white oak bark, 
and simmer these over a slow fire down to a salve. 

Fistula on the Withers, differs but very little in its na- 
ture from that of poll evil, except in its location. It 
may be caused by being bruised with the saddle or collar; 
or, like sweeny, it may be caused by checking the draft 
horse too high (or too long at a time), which causes more 
friction at the point of the shoulder blades, and has a 
tendency to tire and weaken the muscles of the neck, 
and, by taking cold, it may settle at this point and pro- 
duce inflammation and swelling. And the horse may be 
made to bruise the withers by rubbing himself or rolling, 
in consequence of the irritation produced on these parts 
by the former. 

Cure. — Observe entire rest, and treat precisely as you 
would poll evil, and a cure will be effected in a few days* 



avery's own farrier. 155 

treatment of cords and muscles. 

I have already given directions for relaxing the mus- 
cles, in speaking of other, diseases, and now I will tell 
you how to strengthen them after they have become 
weakened by blows, strains, rheumatism, or other causes, 
&c; this can be done in an astonishingly short time by 
the use of the following — first rub it on the parts af- 
fected, and then bathe it in with a hot brick or shovel: 
Take equal parts of sweet apple tree and white oak 
bark; boil them in water sufficient to get the strength; 
then strain and boil down to thick syrup; when cool, add 
a very little alcohol, and bottle for use. "When you have 
occasion to use any of it turn out what you want to use 
at once, and add to that a very little spiiits of turpentine; 
mix thoroughly, and use as above stated. Where the 
parts are much swollen and inflamed, previous to using 
the above, it may be well to bathe the parts with cold 
water until the inflammation is subdued. One applica- 
tion of the above is frequently sufficient to relieve the 
animal from pain and lameness in very aggravated cases. 
This remedy is very useful in many complaints, as lame- 
ness in the stifle joint, weakness across the loins, tipple 
in the back, and all soreness or stiffness in or about the 
shoulders, &c. The affinity of spirits of turpentine for 
water is so great that it is more readily taken up by the 
absorbents and carried into the fluids than anything else 
that can be used for this purpose; therefore, when mixed 
with other ingredients, they are taken along with it 
through the pores of the skin and carried deeper and 
nearer the seat of pain; hence comes the benefit of this 
article when used as above. 



156 avery's own farrier. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

SURGERY, 

" Is curing by manual operations, with or without 
medicine." The setting and replacing broken bones is 
seldom called into requisition in horse surgery, or veter- 
inary practice, and it would be a very difficult task for 
me to lay down rules on this subject that would be ap- 
plicable in all cases. Perhaps there would never any 
two cases happen just alike, consequently each would 
need different fixtures and the mode of treatment would 
vary so much that it would be useless to the reader for 
me to make the attempt, and especially if one had a 
practical knowledge of the subject under consideration, 
or if he had the mechanical ingenuity that is so neces- 
sary for one to have before he should venture to perform 
operations of this kind, it would be wholly unnecessary for 
me to say more to him. Though I have performed many 
operations that might with propriety be brought under 
this head, I propose to speak of only a few. 

The Breach. — Accidents of this kind often happen 
with colts where they are allowed to run in company 
with horns, stakes, knots, and cruel masters. It renders 
them almost valueless unless they are cured, which is not 
a very difficult task to perform, for I have cured many 
without ever witnessing a single failure. A breach, or 
burst, is where the wall and membrane of the abdomen 
gets broken through by some kick, blow, or other means, 
lacerating or rupturing these parts to such an extent as 
to allow the guts to protrude through, and lay next to 



avery's own farriek. 157 

the skin, making a tumor on the outside in proportion to 
the size of the wound within. The skin being tougher 
and more stretchy, seldom gets broken in this way. 
When you wish to remedy this difficulty, take the animal 
down and have him well secured with ropes, or sufficient 
help for this purpose. Lay him on the unaffected side, 
and work the guts back into the body with your finger, 
ascertaining at the same time the extent of the wound 
in the wall of the belly. Then with a sharp knife cut 
the skin to correspond with the breach, or a little longer 
than it is on the inside, being careful to not cut the guts 
if they should have worked out again, and if so, put 
them back in the body, keeping them as clean as possi- 
ble. Then with a crooked needle and a strong waxed 
linen or silk cord (not too large for the needle), sew it 
up by stitching through the.skin and inside both together. 
After you have taken one stitch on the inside to assist 
you in keeping the guts back, tie the thread every time 
you take a stitch. Cut the skin if the wound will admit 
of it, so as to have the incision up and down when the 
animal is on his feet; it will then have a better chance 
to discharge the matter, &c, and the stitches will not be 
so likely to tear out. When you let the animal up, 
place a strong bandage around the body, drawing it as 
tight as you can and have him breathe easy. Keep this 
on some ten days, after which there will be no danger of 
the stitches tearing out, for by this time it will be suffi- 
ciently healed or knit to hold without their aid. If the 
injury is a recent one, the edges on being brought to- 
gether will readily unite, but in old wounds of this kind, 
14 



158 

or natural breaches at the navel, the edges of the wound 
will be healed over as smooth as your finger, and in that 
case you must pare the margins off smooth so that it will 
be raw and bleed quite round the hole, and then it will 
readily unite and heal together. The operator should 
furnish himself with a very keen edged knife for this 
purpose. 

The animal should be put up and fed on green food 
and bran, or a few oats a short time previous to this 
operation as well as afterwards until well, not allowing 
him to fill himself too full with any kind of food during 
the time. 

Never permit a horse to carry a beetle knot on his 
side or belly; it is such an eye sore to his owner and 
every one that sees it. Besides this, the guts are very 
liable to get knotted and twisted up where they pro- 
trude, during the violent motion he is accustomed to, 
often causing colic, spasms and even death. 

Castration. — There are various opinions as to the best 
time of year and age to perform this operation on the 
colt, as well as on the different modes of doing it, &c. 
When convenient, I would perform it when the so called 
sign is right, and that is when it is in the legs and 
going down. The most suitable time of year to perform 
this operation (in my opinion) is in the spring of the 
year, and when the colt is a year old. Or in the fall 
of the year after, unless it be while quite young and 
runs with the dam. If allowed to run without until after 
he is two years old, he becomes restless; when the sexual 
fire begins to burn with such ardor that he is continually 



159 

chasing and running after others whereby a year's growth 
is lost at least. And if he should happen to die in con- 
sequence of this operation, the older he is the greater 
the loss would be. Besides this, his serving mares at 
this age, has a tendency to impair his strength, as well 
as to check his growth, aside from the liability of his 
receiving other injuries. Castration at a more advanced 
age often proves prejudicial to the temper, &c. Al- 
though I like to see the entire horse, there is no question 
but that early castration make larger and better propor- 
tioned animals, which are better in all respects for or- 
dinary business, aside from the trouble it costs to take 
care of them. 

Among the different modes of performing this opera- 
tion, the one of turning as it is called, or twisting the 
cords, so as to stop the circulation to the testicle, leaving 
it to rot off, I abhor as being cruel and 'barbarous; be- 
sides there is risk attending it of sacrificing the animal at 
whatever age. The one of placing sticks on the cord 
does far better than the former, which were covered with 
a composition made of two parts of red precipitate, and 
one part of corrosive sublimate made into paste. This 
sears the cord and blood vessels, and prevents bleeding, 
sets the wound discharging, and hastens the healing 
process, which gained for it considerable favor on its 
first introduction. But this, too, has its objections, viz: 
Firstly, these sticks have to remain on the cord from 
fifteen to twenty-four hours, which is an unnecessary 
torture to the horse, and strains the cords so that it 
frequently injures his shape and action for a long time. 



160 

Secondly, you must place the sticks above the epididy- 
mus (or courage balls as they are called by some horse- 
men), the loss of which are injurious to his mettle; or 
the cords by being strained in this manner so long, will 
hang down, and the flesh heal to them so that it leaves 
a blemish, and be a great while in getting well, or you 
must cut them off a second time, which is attended with 
more trouble and risk. Thirdly, and lastly, there is a 
better way; that is to put on the clamps where you 
choose, pare the cords off not too close, and sear them 
well with a hot iron to prevent their bleeding too much; 
then rub some of the liniment, for which a formula will 
be given below, on the ends of the cords and surrounding 
parts; then when you let the horse up, the cords are up 
where they should be, and this liniment will set it run- 
ning, and cause it to heal as fast as can be desirable, and 
it will heal up* smooth without leaving any blemish. 
The incisions to be made for the purpose of taking out 
the testicle, should always be made in a parallel line 
with the seam on the outside that separates them, not 
allowing the knife to come very near to it; and there is 
but little risk in performing this operation. To make 
the liniment, take equal parts of henbane plant and 
balm of Gilead buds, boil these in water sufficiently to 
obtain the strength of them, then strain and add another 
part of hog's lard and bayberry, or candleberry tallow 7 ; 
simmer these down together to a thickish liniment. 
When you use it, w 7 arm and add a very little oil of fire 
weed, with or without cutting it with alcohol; this will 
prevent bleeding. 



avery's own farrier. 161 

docking, pricking, and nicking. 

A good tail adds very much to the beauty and value 
of a horse, whether it is natural or artificial. Docking 
is a very simple and easy operation to perform; it con- 
sists merely in cutting the tail off any desirable length, 
which can be done in the following manner: First part 
the hair wherever you wish to cut off the tail, saving all 
the hair above you can, by tying it over on the tail. 
Then back the horse up to some convenient place where 
the tail will lay on a plank nearly level, and sever it at 
one blow with some sharp edged tool and mallet, in a 
transverse direction from the horse, leaving the bone a 
little the longest on the under side. Then bring the hair 
down and tie close below the end of the bone without 
searing. By occasionally breaking the tail over on the 
back, or pulleying a short time while it is healing, you 
can obtain a good tail by only docking the horse. Cut- 
ting the tail off in the above manner is better than to 
turn it over on the back and unjoint it, for then the cords 
are strained most on the under side and cut off, which 
will have a tendency to pull the tail down instead of up. 

Pricking. — Although some may think best to let well 
enough alone (as they say), for they have got the idea 
some way that it weakens the horse in the back to set 
up his tail, still they will contend that docking is an ad- 
vantage to the horse because it makes him fill up better 
in the hind quarters, and makes him tougher. 

Now this is owing in part to a want of knowledge of 
the anatomy of the horse, for all the cords and tendons 



162 

that are separated in pricking are divided in docking. 
And the main support of the tail and back is on the up- 
per side of the tail, and consists of cords and muscles 
which are more numerous and lay closer to the bone than 
those on the under side, which are only two of any im- 
portance, and the only use of these appear to be to pull 
the tail down. These two cords are situated, one on each 
side of the bone of the tail, and near the edge of the 
hair. There are three blood vessels also on the under 
side of the tail, the two largest of these being placed on 
the outside, one directly under each of the cords, and the 
smaller one in the centre or directly below the bone. In 
the ancient method of pricking, these blood vessels were 
all severed, letting the horse bleed very profusely, which 
weakened him more or less, for the time being any how, 
and should be avoided as it is in the more modern man- 
ner of performing this operation. Pricking may be ac- 
complished (after the horse is secured sufficiently for 
safety), by merely dividing these two cords or tendons 
on each side of the tail, nearly under the second joint 
from the body. One place is sufficient, though if you 
should prefer it, cut off the cords again about two inches 
from the first incision, with a small sharp-pointed knife, 
with the edge running only about one inch from the 
point and made concave the rest of the way, or well 
rounded off so that it will not cut; then hold the tail up 
with one hand, and run the knife in with the other, near 
the edge of the hair, being careful to cut the cord quite 
off and not cut the large blood vessel which lies imme- 
diately beneath, being sure not to let the knife touch the 



163 

bone. . You can easily tell when the cord is cut off by- 
holding your thumb on the under side during the opera- 
tion, and the giving away of the tail. A horse that is 
intended to be pricked should not be docked until you 
have done pulleying him, for the hair you pulley by is apt 
to come out unless you prevent the fever created by the 
wounds and pulleying. Continue the pulleying until the 
tail is well, observing time for rest, and then dock the 
desired length. When you begin to pulley, rub the 
w T ounds with the liniment given for castration, and after 
with copperas water; wash the tail twice a week with 
alum water; let his diet be light and of easy digestion; 
give him a good bed, sufficient rubbing, and time to rest 
himself while in the pulleys. 

There is more in taking care of the horse's tail and 
pulleying, in getting a good tail, than there is in perform- 
ing the operation of merely cutting the cords off; and 
when this is well attended to, he will thrive in a remarka- 
ble degree and grow fat, together with a good tail, while 
you have attained the highest degree of elegance that 
art can give in this respect. 

Nicking consists in cutting the cords off in several 
places, about two inches apart, and hooking the- ends up 
with a crooked needle, so as to lay hold of them with a 
pair of pinchers, and then skin the cord out. 

For myself, I prefer pricking to nicking, for various 
reasons, viz: You nick a horse and fail to get a good 
tail, and he is ruined forever; but on the other hand if 
you should happen to have bad luck in pricking, you 
have a chance to try your luck again, and when you get 



164 avery's own farrier. 

a good tail in this way, the horse looks as well, if not 
better than by nicking him. And when a horse is badly 
nicked he loses the simplicity and beauty of nature, and 
you can never give him the elegance of art. It is at- 
tended with greater risk, and certainly more cruelty, and 
I hope it will be wholly dispensed with hereafter. 



avery's own farrier. 167 



CHAPTER XXV. 

ON BREEDING. 

" Come let us be merry and wise." 

Breeding is a very important branch of industry to 
the commonwealth, as well as a profitable business to 
the farmer; although it seems to have been much ne- 
glected in some districts, and especially where the cow 
or dairy has taken the ascendency over almost every- 
thing else. But even our dairy-men now, and the farm- 
ers generally, begin to realize that the horse has been 
sunk too low in the estimation of society, and the raising 
of them too much neglected for their own interest. To 
say nothing about improving the different breeds, we 
have some that appear to be coming to a right under- 
standing of these things, and more especially when they 
happen to want a pair to do their drudgery, and have to 
count out from three to five hundred rocks for them, and 
get nothing but drones at that. Others hold on to their 
old teams until they are worn out all but the stubshot, 
to give them time to raise young ones to take their 
places, and not unfrequently spoil them with hard work 
before they are old enough to be harnessed at all. Now, 
if they would turn their attention to raising and im- 
proving the present stock a little more, they would soon 
find it would favor their best interest ^o do so; and they 
would soon have the country filled with a breed of horses 
that we could justly feel proud of. It is our duty to do 
all we can towards giving the youth of our country a 



168 

liberal education, while we are receiving for that pur- 
pose so much material aid from the public treasury, in 
order that they may grow up to be good and useful citi- 
zens. Then why not profit by the encouragement given 
us by our legislatures, and the organization of our 
national fairs, &c, for the improvement of the breed of 
horses we have. Good men need good horses; the first 
are an ornament to society, the last add wealth to the 
world, while there is pleasure in seeing both. The 
middle and western states have some fine horses — some 
excellent ones; and Vermont, with her sister states, is 
justly entitled to great credit for her celebrated stock of 
Morgans and Black Hawks, as well as the southern 
states for their fine English breeds and the turf horse. I 
know there has been a great effort made by some to 
discourage the improvement of this noble animal; but it 
has generally arisen from some selfish motive. Some 
have labored hard with the pen (but happily in vain) to 
see the mule take the place of the work horse; and 
others equally so with the tongue (for there is nothing 
that so empties the heart as this member, though lip and 
heart are often at war with each other), because perhaps 
they had some worthless animal of their own they hoped 
to raise the credit of, by destroying the reputation of a 
better one. The first of these might as well try to advo- 
cate the cause of the negro for this purpose, as that of 
the mule. For my part I prefer the horse to either, and 
look forward to a better time coming, when the farmer 
will look to his own interest in this matter, if not to that 
of the commonwealth. 

Great care and sound judgment should be exercised in 



169 

choosing animals to breed from; and as much or more 
depends on the dam for this purpose as on the sire. She 
should be of good size, and of strong constitution; good 
feet, fine limbs, but rather flat than otherwise, small 
head and ear, eye prominent, of sound body, good dis- 
position, and, withall, of good action. As to age, it 
matters not so much; old ones are thought to bring as 
good colts as younger ones. In choosing a horse, you 
should select one that is not disproportionally large, or 
too small for the mare, for by so doing you lose the ex- 
cellence and the good qualities of both. He should be 
in possession of his full strength and power of bone and 
muscle, and not allowed to serve too many mares; for 
this is alike prejudicial to the horse and the strength of 
his progeny. He should be young rather that otherwise; 
and if he has most of the requisites laid down for the 
mare, all the better, with a pretty crooked rib, short 
on the back, deep up and down through the chest, broad 
breast, with a good neck and tail, andt>f good symmetry, 
throughout, he fills the measure of a good horse — that 
is, the distances should be equal from the point of the 
shoulder or breast bone, to the point of the withers, from 
the withers to the point of the hips, and from thence to 
the point of the haunch or buttock. This gives a well 
proportioned shoulder, not so heavy as to retard the 
action. A short back which always accompanies a good 
loin, denotes strength. A good haunch (according to 
horseology) enables them to open and shut with the 
shoulders, being a good requisite* for the turf. With 
these requisites you can not fail to be successful in 
breeding, for like produces like. But it is hardly to be 
15 



170 avery's own farrier. 

hoped that you will be able to find them all combined; 
and when you can not, get as many of them as possible. 
During gestation, the mare should have good keep; 
she should not be kept too fat nor too lean, with sufficient 
exercise by letting her run in a yard with shelter at- 
tached; or if kept up to work, which she will be capable 
of doing a great deal without injury, providing she is 
carefully managed by being fed and worked regularly, 
but should not on any account be worked so as to tire or 
fatigue her, she should by no means be compelled to 
wallow and flounce in the deep snows of the lumbering 
districts, as is too often the case in those regions. As 
the time of parturition draws near, she should have her 
shoes taken off and be allowed a large stable without 
being tied, and have plenty of roots to eat with her hay, 
or be turned into good pasture which is preferable. 
Previous to this, and during gestation, if she is worked, 
feed a quart of wheat a week, which will prevent abor- 
tion. But avoid feeding rye, buckwheat, or giving slip- 
pery elm tea, and do not allow them to see nor smell 
fresh meat or blood at all, for the same reason. And 
another thing should be remembered as the time of par- 
turition draws nigh, which is, it is an instinct of this 
species of animals to get near or into brooks or ponds of 
water at this time, which is more particularly so with 
young mares, whereby many a fine colt has been drowned 
before the owner had seen it. Some people would think 
it strange! a great pity! and just their luck (as they 
would have it), whereas, if they had known the nature 
of these animals a little better, they could have prevented 
this misfortune. Therefore it is well to avoid turning 



avery's own farrier. 171 

them into pastures where either the mare or colt can get 
into the water. The mare should be carefully watched 
at this time for fear of her wanting assistance, as is 
sometimes the case; and after a reasonable time and 
effort on her part, if she does not foal, you should ex- 
amine and ascertain whether the colt is in a natural 
position to come forth or not. The proper position is 
the fore feet and nose foremost, and if not, place it in 
that position, and when her throes come on, assist her by 
gently pulling on the colt, but at no other time. In 
protracted or difficult parturition, and where the labor 
pains appear to be subsiding, in order to stimulate the 
uterus to renewed and increased action,, the ergot or 
spurred rye, may be given her in doses of a teaspoonfull 
of the powder once an hour until it produces the desired 
effect. J3ut no other force should be used than that 
stated above, unless it is in extreme cases. This powder 
should be given her in a warm and strong tea, made by 
steeping the leaves of the common red raspberry in 
water. There is still another reason for watching the 
mare at the time of parturition, which, perhaps, it will 
not be amiss to state. The colt is often foaled with the 
blanket (as it is commonly called) whole, or as I have 
sometimes seen it completely covering its head, and un- 
less it is immediately removed either by the mare or the 
struggles of the colt (and sometimes he has not the 
strength to do it), he very soon strangles and dies unless 
saved by some one in attendance. 

Colts, the first week of their existence, need watching 
and care, as they are sometimes foaled before parturition is 
matured, in which case the front teeth often need to be cut 



172 

with a sharp knife before they can suck well, and then they 
are apt to be costive so that nothing passes the bowels, 
and this is often accompanied with a difficulty of making 
water also, and, unless relieved, they die from these 
causes alone. Now when this happens to be the case, 
give them a few spoonsfull of sweet milk well sweetened 
with molasses, and inject some of the same after adding 
a very little of the pulverized root of rhubarb. This is 
all that will be necessary to remove the difficulty. Colts 
at this age are sometimes troubled with a weakness of 
the fore legs, so that they knuckle over and can scarcely 
stand or go — that is, the muscles of the back part of the 
fore legs are so contracted, and those of the fore part 
becoming weak and relaxed, that it gives them the ap- 
pearance of having broken knees or fetlocks. Now sup- 
posing you had a board that was badly warped,* and you 
wished to straighten it, you would wet the hollowing 
side in order to swell it, and heat the opposite side in 
order to shrink it, and in this way you would succeed in 
bringing it straight again. Thus it is with these warped 
legs; bathe the heavy muscles of the back and upper 
part of the arm with warm water, and wash the fore 
part of the leg and joints with a decoction of the white 
oak and sweet apple tree bark; this is strengthening and 
a powerful astringent, and to the colt should be applied 
but sparingly. In colts, this weakness of the joints is 
sometimes caused by a relaxed state of the bowels or 
dysentery, which causes a general weakness. When it 
proceeds from this cause, give the colt the following 
dose, viz: Take a teaspoonfull each of tincture of lauda- 
num, camphoretted spirits, essence of peppermint, and 



173 

black pepper; add half a pint of warm water and feed 
it to him with a large spoon. 

Some may have a curiosity to know before the colt is 
foaled whether it is to be a horse or mare colt; if so, 
watch the mare at the time she is making bag, and if the 
right side fills first and keeps the largest, you may ex- 
pect a horse colt, and if the left side springs first, &c, 
you can expect a mare colt. As far as my experience 
goes this has been almost invariably the case, though 
there are undoubtedly exceptions to this rule. 

It may be beneficial to some one to know how to de- 
termine the color and height a colt will attain when full 
grown. Correct conclusions may be arrived at in this 
respect in the following manner: The color in after life 
will be the same as it is (or nearly so) on the colt around 
the eyes and hairs on the nose, anywhere from four days 
to four months old. There is a rule to go by that a man 
may know, within a very trifling variation, the height a 
colt will attain when full grown, by which he can tell 
something about what sort of a horse with proper care 
he is to expect. When the colt arrives at the age of 
four months, or as soon as it is perfectly straightened in 
its limbs, measure from the edge of the hair on its hoof 
to the middle of the knee joint, and for every inch that 
it measures -here it will grow to the height of a hand of 
four inches when its growth is matured. Thus, if the 
distance be found here sixteen inches, it will make a 
horse sixteen hands high, or vary according to the pro- 
portional distance found at this place. This rule holds 
good for all the small class of horses, and equally so with 



174 avery's own farrier. 

others, only with a very large one you must add the 
depth of his hoof, or about three inches in order to make 
his full height. 

The foal should be allowed to run with its dam until 
it arrives at the age of four or five months before it is 
weaned; this should be effected without its worrying or 
pining after her any more than can possibly be helped. 
A very good way is to tie them in the stable alongside 
of each other for a few days; this will prevent their 
worrying after each other. At this time, if there should 
be any difficulty apprehended in drying up the mare's 
milk, all you have to do lo obviate is to cover her bag 
with sale molasses, well rubbed in with the hand, and it 
will not fill afterwards. This is no less simple than sure 
to have the desired effect. When the colt is put up to 
wean, it should have the best of hay or rowen, and suf- 
ficient bran and oats to keep it in a thriving condition; 
and when thoroughly weaned it should be allowed a dry 
yard and open shed to run in, and also have plenty of 
good, nourishing food to eat, for the better they are 
kept while young, the sooner they get their growth, 
and the better animals they make afterwards, and can be 
kept at a less cost. Their limbs also will be firmer and 
better knit, providing they have sufficient exercise. 
The idea that stinting colts while young would make 
tougher and hardier horses of them, has arisen from 
people feeding thern high and keeping them too much 
confined, thinking that by so doing they would beat their 
neighbor, or get a high price for them at an early age. 
But exercise is as necessary to give strength and elasti- 



avery's own farrier. 175 

city to the limbs, as food is to give vitality and vigor to 
the body. I am willing to admit that, being fed high 
and kept in this confined way f they can not endure much 
hardship at first, nor until they have been exercised 
moderately, or by degrees, sufficiently to have acquired 
strength of body and limb to be able to perform what 
may be required of them without injury; for when they 
have been put to hard labor on the start, as the case 
sometimes is in consequence of changing owners, the 
purchaser, not knowing their situation, expects a great 
deal of service from them, and is often wofully disap- 
pointed when he finds his horse ringboned, spavined, or 
dies with lung fever or dropsy of the heart. Now the 
reason of all this is for want of sufficient exercise while 
being fed in this way, and not in the feeding alone. 
The horse requires a good deal of exercise at any age, 
but more especially when high fed in order to have him 
fit for immediate use, or to set out on a long journey, as 
experience has taught us, which is the best authority 
that I can give. 

The time has been when a mare colt was thought by 
many to be almost valueless, or hardly worth raising for 
the market; but that time, with many other false notions 
(if there are no more to follow) has passed. They are 
now thought to be by many as valuable as a horse colt, 
and are even chosen in preference to him by some, for 
the following reasons: From the time they are two to 
five years old, they are not of much account as far as 
work is concerned, although they are capable even at 
this age of enduring as much or more without injury, as 
the gelding; besides, they can be profitably employed in 



176 

breeding. You can raise two colts during this time, 
from them, which improves the mare, both in size and 
form, and you have the colts in the bargain. Besides 
this, they are less liable to disease, are as good travelers 
and better stagers, &c; and when they are worn out for 
the road, as it were, they are still valuable for breeders — 
that is, many of them. Mares kept exclusively for 
breeders, should be allowed the horse at a proper season. 
They will almost invariably be in the heat the ninth day 
after foaling (though sometimes a day or two sooner or 
later), and are very apt to conceive if turned at this 
time, being seldom in heat after this period, while suck- 
ling the colt. See recipes Nos. 72-77. 



avery's own farrier. 179 

the stallion. 
Great care should be. taken in feeding this animal 
during the service season. In order that he may not 
become exhausted, and be a sure foal getter, he should 
not be let to more than from thirty to forty mares in one 
season, for his own welfare and that of his progeny, 
without some artificial stimulant to strengthen and re- 
plenish the genital organs, more than he takes in by way 
of food. It is well known to the owners of this kind of 
horse, that when they have let him serve from fifty to 
one hundred mares, their horse was injured in proportion 
to the number so served, or the colls have been weak 
or decrepid (if he has any), and not unfrequently both. 
Now, to remedy this evil, without losing the use of the 
horse, would be a great desideratum with many; and 
this difficulty is not to be wondered at when we take 
into consideration the fact, that one ounce of sperm ex- 
tracted in this way, is equal to the loss of forty ounces 
of blood, or two pounds and a half. When we take this 
view of the case, which is allowed to be correct, it must 
be evident to any one, that unless modified in practice, 
it must result in a total prostration of the constitution in 
the end. Every attempt to remedy this difficulty, so far 
as I am able to judge (except the one I am about to re- 
commend), has resulted in a loss of tone and derange- 
ment of the stomach, whereby the remedy has proved 
equally bad with the difficulty it was intended to obviate. 
The stallion should be kept in that state of health that 
will ensure the greatest degree of excellence in his pro- 
geny, which is not the highest state of fatness alone, 
that is to be admired. 



180 avery's own farrier. 

The horse, during the season of service, should be fed 
regularly, and on solid food. A pint of wheat flour may 
be added to his oats and corn meal once a day, but he 
should not be given anything that will nauseate him, or 
hinder digestion. And if you would have him always 
ready to face the music, give him one of the following 
balls every morning about the size of a hen's egg. 
These cordials are made by mixing together one quart 
of strained honey, one quart of oyster meats, one pint of 
the best brandy, four ounces of the superfine flour of 
slippery elm bark, and kept in a tight jar. Take out 
only as you want to use, and ball it, which may be 
scented with anything the horse is fond of, and he will 
soon learn to eat them readily from the hand. 

" With flying mane and fiery look, 
Impatient neighs the noble steed." 

These balls are sometimes of great use in bringing the 
mare into heat at a proper season, by adding the tincture 
of cantharides. Give her one every morning; it will 
not require more than three to bring her into heat. The 
tincture may be added for the horse occasionally if need 
be, but for constant use they are too irritating to the 
urinary organs. I once owned a horse that sired eighty- 
three colts in one season, all smart and robust, and the 
horse ended the season as vigorously as when he began. 
Some may say that the truth is not to be spoken at all 
times; so say I, but if you speak at all, speak the truth, 
and this false modesty will fly like chaff before the wind. 
" There is a time to all things." 



avery's own farrier. 181 

Man was not born to sorrow alone ; he can indulge in pleasing 
as well as profitable sports, without even stepping out of the 
path of peace and innocent pleasure. 

To fit a horse for trotting or running, requires all the 
ingenuity that man is capable of bestowing on him, and 
has occupied the attention of the best horsemen in the 
world; for this reason 1 deem it useless for me to attempt 
to instruct you on this point farther than I have already 
done; and the whole, in order to the animal's performing 
labor and sustaining a continuance of action, to which 
he would not be adequate without much previous pre- 
paration, would not be a very easy task for any one to 
undertake. By condition, the farmer generally means a 
high state of fatness; but not so with the amateur sports- 
man; he means that state of health which produces the 
greatest degree of strength by reducing the superfluous 
fat, and bringing the mere flesh into clean, hard and 
powerful muscle, and invigorating the lungs and other 
internal organs, so that they may promptly discharge 
their respective functions, and suffer no damage from 
uncommon stress, &c; for a horse loaded with fat could 
not be expected to be successful in a long race. 

TIME TABLE. 

The most extraordinary speed that the horse has been 
able to accomplish, both in Europe and America, will be 
found in the following table, which is a matter of some 
interest to the fast men of the age; and it should be pre- 
served, as it has been carefully compiled by the Clipper 
from various authors, both English and American; and 
in the main is thought to be reliable; but as it is un- 
16 



182 avery's own farrier. 

certain whether the distance and time will agree with 
the present reckoning, is a matter that must be left for 
the reader to determine: 

Horse Running. 

It is recorded that Firetail, in 1772, ran a mile in one 
minute and four seconds. 

Flying Childers ran over the Round Course at New- 
market (three miles six furlongs and ninety-lhree yards) 
in six minutes and forty seconds; and on the Beacon 
Course (four miles, one furlong and one hundred and 
thirty-eight yards) in seven minutes and thirty seconds. 
He went one-third of a mile in twenty seconds; he also 
made a leap of thirty feet on level ground; and he covered 
twenty-five feet at every stroke while racing. 

Eclipse is said to have ran a mile in one minute!!! 

In 1741, at the Currah in Ireland, Mr. Wilde rode 
one hundred and twenty-seven miles in six hours twenty- 
one minutes, employing ten horses in the performance of 
the feat. 

Mr. Thornhill, in 1745, rode from Stilton to London 
and back, and again to London, two hundred and thirteen 
miles in eleven hours and thirty-four minutes. 

Mr. Shaftoe, in 1752, with ten horses, five of them 
ridden twice, accomplished fifty and one quarter miles in 
one hour and forty-nine minutes. 

In 1786 Mr. Hull's Quibbler ran twenty-three miles, 
round the Flat at Newmarket, in fifty-seven minutes and 
ten seconds. 

George Osbaldeston, in 1831, performed the herculean 
task of riding two hundred miles in eight hours and 



183 

thirty-nine minutes, using in the feat twenty-eight horses, 
some of them two and three times. 

It is also on record that Rataplan, in England^ 1856, 
ran a three mile heat in five minutes and twenty-one 
seconds. 

These are among the feats and time said to have been 
performed in England. We now come to that of our 
own times and country, which are as follows: 

One mile, by Henry Perritt, in one minute, forty-two 
and one-half seconds. 

Two miles, by Berry, in three minutes, thirty-six and 
one-half seconds. 

Three miles, by Brown Dick, in five minutes, twenty- 
eight seconds. 

Four miles, by Lexington, w 7 as run in seven minutes, 
nineteen and three-quarter seconds. 

Horse Trotting. 
One mile, under saddle, by Tacony, in two minutes, 
twenty-five and one-half seconds. 

One mile, under saddle, by Lady Suffolk, in two min- 
utes, twenty-six seconds. 

One mile, in harness, by Tacony, Highland Maid, and 
Flora Temple,* in two minutes, twenty-seven seconds. 

Two miles in harness, by Flora Temple, in four 
minutes, fifty-nine seconds- 
Two miles, under saddle, by Lady Suffolk, in four 
minutes, fifty-nine seconds. 

* It is stated Flora Temple made the best time on record, in the 
trotting match with Princess, doing her second mile in two minutes, 
twenty-two seconds. 



184 avery's own farrier. 

Three miles to 250 lbs. wagon, by Kemble Jackson, in 
eight minutes, three seconds. 

Ten miles, in harness, by Prince, in twenty-eight 
minutes, eight and one-half seconds. 

Twenty miles, in harness, by Lady Fulton, in fifty-nine 
minutes, fifty-five seconds. 

Fifty miles, in harness, by Spangle, in three hours, 
fifty-eight minutes, and fifty-four seconds 

One hundred miles, in harness, by Conqueror, in eight 
hours, fifty-five minutes, and fifty-three seconds. 

Horse Pacing. 

One mile, by Pocahontas, in two minutes, seventeen 
and one-half seconds. 

One mile, by Pet, in two minutes, eighteen and one- 
half seconds. 

One mile, by Roanoke, in two minutes, nineteen 
seconds. 

The battle is not always to the strong, nor the race to 
the swift; but we like to see speed that is founded on 
bottom. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

DISTEMPERS CONTRACTED BY MARKETING. 

Thousands of horses are this day in our cities which 
are diseased in consequence of mismanagement in feed- 
ing and want of exercise previous and while en route 
thereto. And this difficulty is but little heeded or even 
noticed while it is increased by the present mode of 



avery's own farrier. 185 

conveying them by rail ard boat over land and water. 
When people fell into this common error, it caused a 
delay in selling both in time and price; and the addi- 
tional expense accompanying the same, make it un- 
profitable for both dealer "and purchaser, and to avoid 
which is certainly very desirable. 

I would rather start w T ith them by land in ill-condition, 
or even quite poor in flesh, than to fall into this error; 
and it would save expense to the dealer, and would be 
better for the purchaser, who would be more likely to 
get a sound horse. The horse in this condition would 
thrive while increasing his feed and journeying by land, 
and would not suffer so much for want of exercise for a 
few days if conveyed in the above manner as one loaded 
with fat. If you should object to taking them into the 
city in this condition, leave them at the outposts, or a 
convenient distance therefrom, and there feed and exer- 
cise them to your liking, and then take them in healthy 
and sound, when they will command a fair price and 
meet a ready sale, instead of hazarding their lives by 
confining them in dark and stifled stables in the city 
until they are diseased and rendered unfit for use, and 
are liable to be spoiled with the first day's hard drive; 
and this, too, would bring your customers to you, instead 
of your having to run after them. 

But to come to the point; horses after being fed high, 
and stimulated with grain and other things, and poorly 
exercised, are but iliy fitted to undergo the sudden changes 
of air consequent to a long journey through the fog, hot 
and cool breezes in crossing our lakes, traversing rivers, 
and being hurled along the plains in the cais, &c\; they 



186 

often take slight colds in this way that are not noticed, 
or neglected, until it causes a derangement of the stomach 
and bowels, which impairs the appetite and digestive 
powers; what is worst of all, when they arrive at their 
journey's end, they are too often crowded into dark and 
ill-ventilated stables to complete their misery. This is 
the way in which many diseases of the horse are caused, 
stuffing up the thoracic organs, and sometimes exciting 
a cough and a slight running at the nose, which may 
often lead to o(her disease and general debility, for the 
above exciting causes show themselves in various forms 
according to the predisposing condition of the system. 
To prevent the above difficulty, when you are to convey 
them any considerable distance, give as a stomachic to 
invigorate and strengthen the system every morning, 
before feeding, in ball, a small dose of peppermint, cam- 
phor and red pepper, with good exercising. For a day 
or two previous to arriving in the city (and after also) 
use a little of the nose ointment on the septum, &c, 
given for glanders, which will enable you to go in safe 
and remain sound, with good stable management. But 
if you should at any time discover symptoms of distem- 
per, make free use of the condition powder No. 1; with 
a continuance of the above, and you will come out all 
right. Consult the remedies given for infectious diseases, 
&c, &c. 

Then sometimes horses are injured in taking them by 
the overland route, too. They are often driven too far 
the first day of their journey, not being accustomed to 
traveling on the road; and then again their masters 



189 

sometimes overtry their abilities for endurance, in conse- 
quence of becoming a little excited on some topic of the 
day themselves, or get a little too much of the c'rathur 
in the head. And sometimes this happens when they 
are going to market with other articles, or riding from 
town for pleasure, &c, for there are various ways of 
abusing this noble animal. 

Symptoms. — If the driver goes to bed at all, he rises 
rather late the next morning, and on going to the stable, 
if you find the horse with his back still wet with dew 
immediately over the kidneys, after all the rest of his 
body is dry, it is a sure evidence that he has been driven 
too hard. 

Cure. — The next time the man goes on a spree, let 
him go alone, and give the horse a moderate dose of 
oats, adding a good brushing and comfortable bedding; 
thus remove the cause and I will warrant the evil to 
cease. 

A GOOD HORSE. 

Some men are quite apt to go to extremes in their 
judgment upon the value of a horse. What one man 
would call a good horse, others will call good for 
nothing. Now the Maker knew well the pattern he 
worked by, for in variety only are found fitness and ele- 
gance which contain the spice of life. Thus all may 
be suited if they only knew themselves what they want, 
and learn to choose one that is well adapted to their 
minds and business. 

Supposing, for instance, that the mechanic should set 
himself to work and make a fine looking wagon or car- 



190 

riage out of pine or basswood, using sole leather for the 
tire, the man who bought it might be disappointed, for 
it would not do him the service he had expected. Well, 
now has he any reason to find fault with the workman- 
ship, which he examined for himself? I think not. 
Well, should he curse the timber of which it was made? 
Certainly not; for it is good for the purpose for which it 
was designed. But the deception consists in a misap- 
plication of the material of which the wagon was made, 
which was not intended to take the place of iron, nor the 
white oak and sugar maple. Thus it is with horses; 
they are all good in their proper spheres; they may be 
bred too delicate of constitution or limb for the climate 
they are employed in, but this is no fault of theirs. The 
wants of man are so varied that there are none of these 
animals found so large or small, swift or slow, but that 
they may be profitably employed for some purpose or 
other. 

The minds and tastes of men differ as much (and per- 
haps more), than the size, shape and color of horses; 
therefore it would be a pretty nice piece of work for one 
man to accomplish, to select a horse that would please 
all his neighbors in every respect. Therefore, when I 
see a horse that is well adapted and calculated for the 
business that he is employed in, whether it is on the 
farm or the road, on the canal, in livery or menagerie, 
in saddle or harness, I call him a good horse. But a 
clearer view of my idea or fancy of a good horse, and 
one that will be most likely to please the eye of many, 
may be had by referring to my description of the same 
in the chapter on breeding, &c. 



191 

Give me a horse with a good shoulder (not too heavy), 
with his fore legs far enough apart to give ample room 
for the play of his lungs, and a good stifle; then he has 
room to carry his dinner with him. With these requi- 
sites, and a good pair of legs (for the whole value of a 
horse is in his limbs), he will do very well for all work. 
As to color, I think it makes but little difference, other 
things being rightly considered, but is a point of taste 
as a general rule. Some argue that a dark colored horse 
has stronger muscles, and is more durable; but if we 
allow this to be so, it may be overbalanced by the wiry 
nerve, and a higher degree of intelligence possessed by 
those of a lighter color. A dark or brown colored nose, 
with heavy mustache, always denotes good bottom. 

COMPARISONS. 

The so styled father of medicine (Hippocrates) did 
much in his time and way, undoubtedly, for the benefit 
of his race, in the discoveries he made in the healino- 

o 

art; and a vast amount of good has been accomplished 
by the different reformers since his time in this way; 
hence it becomes our duty to improve all we can upon 
the advantage thus offered us, and perhaps future gene- 
rations will still have more to do before they bring this 
science to a state of perfection. 

Perhaps I may be pardoned if I should venture to draw 
a figure here to illustrate some of my views on the sub- 
ject before us. For instance, when people are habitually 
costive, they learn to regulate their diet by a free use of 
beans, onions, or Indian corn, and pumpkin bread, or 
other things that nature helps us to provide in the form 



192 avery's own farrier. 

of food; they will find but little use for the bitter root 
and steaming, which may be used to such an extent, as 
to become in time as injurious to the system, as the 
older practice of the use of calomel and the lancet. 
Therefore we see that an ounce of preventive is equal in 
value to a pound of cure. Did you ask what has this to 
do with the horse? We will see directly. In most cases 
of disease where a physician is called, it is the animal 
feeling and powers that are diseased, whereby the phy- 
sical strength is lessened. So, what is good for man is 
also good for the horse, and has about the same effect on 
the one as on the other, generally speaking, under similar 
circumstances; but when the mind or mental faculties 
are impaired, then it becomes quite a different thing 
which we have nothing to do with here. 

Now, supposing a horse to have the heaves, and you 
feed him with clean, bright straw, or stalks (instead of 
musty hay), and also let potatoes, carrots and apples form 
a part of his diet, and he will perform as much work as 
before he was diseased, and seldom show any symptoms 
of the disease. Well, now, had he lived on this kind of 
food previous to his being attacked with this disease, 
and had not been allowed to take cold, would it not have 
served as a preventive against the disease? Reason 
teaches us that it would most certainly. And so it is 
with most diseases of the horse. They can be prevented 
by judicious feeding, careful driving, a close observation 
of and supplying their many wants. To this I am mainly 
indebted for my success. I have been as seldom puzzled 
as a great many others in telling what part of the ma- 



avery's own farrier. 193 

chinery was out of order, or to find a remedy for their 
relief. 

In sections of country .where the heaves are a very 
prevalent disease with the horse, a great number of its 
inhabitants die of consumption; but in some parts of the 
western states for instance, the horse is seldom if ever 
known to have what is called heaves in other parts of 
the country, and there the people know nothing com- 
paratively about consumption. Thus it behooves us all 
to study into the causes of disease, and also their best 
remedies and preventives, for the better we understand 
these things, the better we shall be prepared to combat 
them when overtaken by them. The wise will not trust 
wholly to the doctors in this respect, for they live on the 
ignorance and misfortune of the people. (Well, they do 
not live alone if they do.) But some one may think the 
doctors must live too. That is very true. Every one 
should live by his own industry; but any one worthy of 
the name, will keep himself in advance of the common 
people sufficient to answer as a safeguard for him. And 
if it should be otherwise, they would only be placed on 
an equal footing with others in producing the necessaries 
of life (by the sweat of the brow), instead of destroying 
it, which no lover of peace and law-abiding person would 
have reason to find fault with. But as the great book of 
nature was opened for all, we all have an undisputed 
right to peruse its leafy pages, and treasure up what 
knowledge we obtain from its teachings, for our own 
benefit as well as that of others; and the better we un- 
derstand this great work, the better it will be for the 

regular physician, and the better it will be for all. The 
17 



194 

science will flourish better when it enables him to com- 
mand a better price for his labor, and there will be less 
suffering, less imposition and quackery in the world. 

A change of diet almost invariably has a salutary 
effect while treating most diseases; for instance, in 
fevers and inflammation, let the diet be more simple, 
cooling, &c, &c. 



CHAPTER XXVIL 



ON TRAINING AND EDUCATING THE HORSE; TOGETHER WITH AN- 
ECDOTES, &C, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SAGACITY AND FRIEND- 
SHIP EXHIBITED BY THE HORSE AND OTHER ANIMALS TOWARDS 

MAN. 

To raise the genius and improve the mind, the old psalmist 
played on a liarp of many strings. 

It has been wisely said by one of our ancient philoso- 
phers, that the greatest study of man was to know him- 
self. Now when we have fully learned our own genius 
and capacity to control and manage the horse perfectly, 
in all the various branches of his education that he is 
capable of arriving at, which now is only in its infancy, 
we shall have attained a high degree of eminence towards 
that end. And then we have been privileged by the high- 
est authority to have dominion and rule over all the 
beasts of the field; or, of the whole animal creation we 
were to be lord and master. We were not told in a word 
how to accomplish all this, but we were given wisdom 
sufficient, when applied to this purpose (which was left 



195 

as a part of our duty), to find out our superiority over 
the animal creation in this respect for ourselves. 

In order to have perfect control over the horse, and 
govern him properly at all times (instead of being 
governed), there is one thing highly necessary. In the 
first place we must learn to govern ourselves, that is, 
govern our passions, and never lose our presence of mind 
through fear, nor allow ourselves to fly into a passion, or 
get excited on any account whatever, nor chastise the 
horse in anger any sooner than you would a child. He 
that does this well will seldom, if ever, be compelled to 
whip either with the rod. He will soon learn that there 
is a nobler way to accomplish his purpose, which con- 
sists in the superiority of mind and reason that he 
holds* over him (which is the gift of God), and when 
fully developed and used for this purpose, with the means 
hereinafter mentioned, will be more than sufficient to 
govern this noble animal. Fear (in one sense of the 
word) is the absence of reason, therefore to rid ourselves 
of fear let us exercise what reason we have given us. A 
person may give way to fear and work himself into such 
an excited state of mind as to dethrone reason altogether, 
and then become a perfect maniac. Many a one has lost 
his life, or even died through fear alone. 

All horses are susceptible of receiving more or less 
knowledge, according to their individual organization; 
and the higher mettled, or the more ambitious a horse is, 
the easier he will learn when the law of kindness is ap- 
plied, and the harder it is to subdue him by brute force. 
A careful observer can readily tell a horse that will learn 
easily by his phrenological development, or the degree 



196 

of intelligence that he is capable of arriving at, &c; 
among the requisites of which are fine limbs and muzzle, 
head not too disproportionably large for the body, ears 
small or slim, not too far apart and of quick motion, eyes 
prominent and wide apart, and large nostrils; white feet 
and face are not objectionable in this respect," and a hol- 
low face denotes speed and high spirits; though a round 
face and Roman nose indicate a degree of docility that 
is seldom met with in others, if the head is not too nar- 
row above the eyes. There must be sufficient room in 
the cavity of the skull for the mass of brain that is so 
necessary for this purpose (notwithstanding the other 
requisites), and which is the mainspring of all motion. 
The ancients seem to have employed their horses 
mostly for the purposes of war, and that of the chariot 
race. The training of them, both for war and the race, 
seems to have occupied much time and attention, and to 
have been conducted with a degree of skill which could 
not have been attained without considerable study and 
experience. Pliny truthfully said that by the ears of a 
horse you could discover his intention. BufTon also re- 
marked that when a horse walks, his ears point forward; 
when fatigued, they hang down; and wmen angry, one 
ear points forward and the other backward. The eye as 
w 7 ellas the ear plainly tells the intention of ahorse; 
when the head is rather bowed, and the eye, with the 
effort to look out, is not much moved in the socket, with 
considerable expression of the surrounding parts, as often 
winking, &c, all is well; but when the head is only a 
little raised, with the eye-balls turned so as to show con- 
siderable white of the eye, and the ears lay close to the 



avery's own farrier. 197 

neck or point backwards, then look out for teeth and 
heels, which are their weapons of war. Every horse 
turns his eye as well as ear to that side from which he 
hears a noise, and, when struck from behind, he turns his 
ears backwards as an expression of dislike; or, in other 
words, the ears always point the way he looks. 

" The notion of fire rolling within his nostrils, is 
highly descriptive of the natural appearance of these 
organs when the animal neighs, or is much excited. 
This is occasioned by the unusual flow of blood which 
becomes distinctly visible through the fine membrane 
with which the nostrils are lined." 

The steed, says Virgil, should first be accustomed to 
see without fear the arms of the warrior in fight, and to 
endure the clangor of the trumpet, to listen to the bridles 
rattling in the stalls, and to hear the rumbling of the 
chariots over the ground. And while yet a colt, he 
should be soothed with kindly tones from his master's 
voice, and gently patted on his neck till he comes to 
rejoice in being commended and flattered. 

In training the colt for the ring or the chase, the old 
masters began with him at the age of three and four: 
and he was trained to run in the ring with measured 
pace, to bend his legs with ease, and to prance in 
"changeful curves." His speed was to be gradually 
increased " till he seemed to challenge the wind as he 
fled with ardour over the level meadow, unconscious of 
his reins, skimming so lightly as scarcely to print the 
surface of the sand." After being trained in the above 
manner, the animal was to be fed plentifully with corn 
and other fodder, until the body became large and robust. 



198 avery's own farrier. 

" But if pampered with corn before being trained, he 
will become stubborn, and though held, he will some- 
times rebel auainst the lash and the curb." 

When the horse is in the habit of shying or sheering 
at anything on the road, do not whip him for it. It is 
sure to make him worse. For whenever he sees the 
same object again, it reminds him of the chastisement 
he received before; but let him know that you are his 
friend, by using kind and soothing words and gentle usage. 
Although you may speak in an authoritative tone some- 
times, if necessary, stop him and let him approach the 
object of his fright, slowly and cautiously, and you will 
soon break him of this bad habit. The eye falsifies ob- 
jects, which are the cause of the animal's shying and 
fright; therefore he wants time to satisfy himself that 
there is nothing to hurt him, either by seeing or smelling. 

When you are driving a horse before a carriage, and 
he gets frightened, and starts to run, if you allow your- 
self to become frightened and excited at the event, or 
show any sign of fear (which it is very difficult to avoid, 
I will admit) by hallowing, or in any way so that the 
horse discovers a cause, he catches also at the dilemma, 
and, with renewed rage, it increases his speed and your 
danger. When you can possibly avoid this, and speak 
in a calm and gentle tone to him, together with the help 
of the reins, you will soon calm his fear and all will be 
well. As illustrative of the above facts, I will relate a 
circumstance that took place not long since in my own 
town, and with reliable friends: A gentleman and wife 
were returning from a ride in a carriage, and when about 
a mile from their village home, while descending a steep 



avery's own farrier. 199 

bill, some of the harness gave way, and let the carriage 
on the horse which frightened him, and he began to kick 
and run down the hill, when the man leaped from the 
carriage, telling his better half to do the same. But this 
happening in the fashionable days of crinoline, it was 
not so convenient for the lady to do so in this way; so 
she (while the horse was at the top of his speed), with 
great presence of mind, and possessing the ability that 
her husband lacked, composedly reached over and picked 
up the reins that he in his fright had dropped, and in 
woman's quiet manner, very soon succeeded in stopping 
the frightened animal, and then as quietly stepped out of 
the carriage and took the horse by the bit, and was 
caressing him when the man came up to her assistance, 
if such you could call it. I have read somewhere that 
a good wife was more precious than rubies, and I think 
she must be one of them. 

I am well aware of the fondness or reluctance of the 
horse to leave buildings while they are on fire (which is 
a kind of instinct), for you may drive or back a horse 
up to a fire, and as it begins to burn him, he will draw 
closer and closer to it until you can scarcely force him 
away. Hence comes the great difficulty of removing 
horses from the stable when the surrounding buildings 
are in a state of conflagration, whereby so many valu- 
able horses have been lost. Notwithstanding all this, 
the difficulty generally arises from the excitement that 
prevails on such occasions, when you lose all control you 
had over them. But if you would avoid this, approach 
them at such times with no unusual degree of alarm or 
excitement, and speak to them kindly, and, for instance, 



200 

throw the harness over their backs as though they were 
to go about their usual work, and they will obey you at 
once, and thus be saved from the perils of the flames. 
Now these facts I have witnessed. Truth cannot perish; 
it is everlasting, it is heavenly. 

In order to show the wonderful sagacity of the horse, 
and the great attachment and friendship that may exist 
between him and man, as well as other animals, and 
man's capacity to govern them under a proper mode of 
treatment, I will give place here to a few well authenti- 
cated anecdotes of some of the most important animals 
in the world, which go to show also what man can ac- 
complish when destitute of fear or excitement of any 
kind. 

I will begin by relating the (almost incredible) story 
as given by Ezra Smith, of a voyage among the South 
Sea Islands, where the vessel was wrecked and the only 
one of the crew saved was finally landed on the deserted 
shore of an uninhabited part of the island. Alone with 
a small compass he happened to save by having it in his 
pocket, he directed his course towards the nearest place 
known to him to be inhabited, which was several days' 
journey. After traveling all day, at night he lay down 
to rest his wearied limbs, with only the precaution of 
building a fire near his feet for the purpose of keeping 
off the wild beasts that inhabited that country. Shortly 
after lying down, he heard a heavy tread near him, and 
immediately arose and saw a huge lion approaching 
him. Being of iron nerve, and thinking that the time 
had come that he must die, and that he might as well 
submit to his fate calmly, he quietly awaited the ap- 



avery's own farrier. 201 

proach of his deadly foe, which was made cautiously, 
halting several times, and at last came close to his fire. 
After eyeing him very closely for sometime, and finding 
him not in the least daunted, he held his foot up in the 
light of the fire, the man then discovering that his foot 
was dreadfully swollen, and thinking that at the worst 
he could but die, at once commenced an examination of 
the foot, in which he found a large sliver or stub, which 
had caused it to fester and become swollen. He deliber- 
ately took his knife and opened the foot, dug out the 
stub, talking caressingly in the meantime, without either 
of them betraying the least sign of fear. After per- 
forming the operation, the man took his seat near the 
fire, and found to his great astonishment that he had a 
friend with him instead of an enemy, in the shape of a 
lion, for the lion came and licked him, and lay down by 
his side during the night, and the next day went several 
times and caught wild game for him to subsist on, and 
even followed him like a pet for several days. Now 
supposing the man had allowed himself to become 
frightened and excited on this occasion, there can be no 
doubt but that the lion, seeing his timidity, would have 
devoured him at once. 

As I have given one of the lion, I will add another 
about the great memory of this animal, as it is allowed 
by experienced men that the horse equals, if not excels, 
most other animals in this respect. Herr Driesbach, the 
great lion tamer, after leaving his old companions, the 
lions, leopards and tigers, for years, returned to revisit 
them in their cages, where the scene is described as 
having been most affecting. The lioness, which was 



202 

a particular favorite, caught sight of him, and her eyes 
beamed with pleasure, while her tail wagged a glad 
recognition. On his coming up to her, she appeared 
frantic with joy; and when he spoke to her and pre- 
sented his face to the cage, she kissed him and placed 
her paw T in his hand with the air of an intense affection, 
and licked his hands while he attempted to pat her. 

And then there was another of Herr's, the elephant. 
A circumstance happened while the menagerie was com- 
ing into Newark. The elephant's keeper fell from his 
horse in a fit; the whole company came to a halt, and 
one of its members went forward to pick up the sick man, 
but the elephant would not allow him or any person to 
approach the lifeless form of his master. Taking him 
with his trunk softly, he would place him on his horse, 
but finding that the man was senseless, he laid him on 
the ground and kept watch over him. Several members 
of the menagerie tried to soothe the faithful animal, who 
had now become furious at the supposed death of his 
friend, but to no purpose, and there the man lay watched 
by this sagacious animal. After lying in this condition 
for some time, a physician who had been sent for arrived, 
and yet the elephant would allow no one to approach 
the man till at length the keeper became so far con- 
scious as to command the elephant to let the physician 
come near him, and then the animal was docile and 
obedient in a moment. The keeper was cared for, the 
elephant all the while expressing the utmost anxiety for 
the sick man. 

Were these animals spoken of above forced wholly by 
blows of the whip to love and obey their masters 1 



avery's own farrier. 203 

Most certainly not. Now I have given an illustration 
of the king of the forest, as the lion is called, and also of 
one of the largest quadruplets of the present time, in the 
foregoing anecdotes, thus showing how memory, sym- 
pathy, pity and affection are all blended together in 
these animals towards man, and his power and ability to 
render them subservient to his will and have dominion 
over them. Now is this instinct, is it reason, or what is 
it? I pause here for an answer, though I will endeavor 
to answer the question in my way when I speak of the 
horse. But who will dare fix the limits of the instinct 
or reasoning faculties of the animal creation? 

For fear that I have already wandered too far, I will 
return again to the horse, which is one of the most tract- 
able, having the greatest memory, and is withal one of 
the most affectionate and sympathizing animals among 
the larger quadrupeds in the world. To prove the first 
of these assertions, it would only be necessary for you to 
pay a visit to Dan Rice's great show, or Franconi's 
hippodrome, and there see the horse perform some of his 
wonderful feats, dance, waltz and keep perfect time with 
the music, equaling in this respect a first class dancing 
master. And then he has done this on the stage where 
the floor was chequered with eggs, in squares of two feet 
apart, without even moving one of them. Although the 
horse is assisted by the motion of the rein and whip in 
keeping time in the performance of these plays, he does 
not do it without considerable intelligence on his part. 
If you have any objections to being satisfied as to the 
truth of above, by visiting the circus, you should re- 
member that if there is any evil produced by it, it will 



204 

come from a misapplication of the knowledge thus de- 
rived. The same skill required to manage the horse in 
the ring, would enable one to ride all over a patch of 
corn or potatoes without even treading out a single hill; 
and then again, amusement of some kind is as necessary 
for the support of a healthy mind, as food is for the body. 
To have proven the latter, you should have seen, as 
thousands did with me, that old white war horse of Gen. 
Taylor following the hearse that bore his late and 
lamented friend to the tomb, with his head drooping 
half way to the ground, as if in deep thought, or filled 
with pity and love for the hero, and his late master. 

And then I have seen the young and spirited horse 
stand over and watch his master who had fallen from 
his back while drunk. I have seen the horse, also, 
while carrying the inebriate on his back, actually dodge 
one way and the other in order to balance his rider, so 
as to prevent his falling off. Which of the two animals 
manifested the most reason here, do you think? 

Then the war horse has been seen to dash on to the 
charge at the sound of the bugle, with all the courage 
of a veteran soldier. Away he would dash through 
blood and carnage, wherever his master guided him; 
and when, perchance, his rider fell, he would stop in the 
midst of his heat and fury, and become pensive and 
mournful, sympathizing with his wounded friend; or, 
when dead, has been known to rush on with renewed 
vigor into the enemy's ranks, stamping them to the 
earth wherever he went, to avenge his master's death. 

The poet has given a fine description of the war 
horse, in the following lines: 



205 

" If then the distant clang of arras he hears, 
He paws, he bounds, he pricks his listening ears, 
Quivering his joints, and snorting with desire, 
Within his nostril rolls the thickened fire; 
Adown his crest his locks recumbent stray — 
O'er his right blade the bushy honors play, 
His horny hoof upturns the hollow ground, 
And rings the air in grave and solid sound." 

Who, when they study the nature of the horse and 
consider his superior muscular power, can think of low- 
ering himself (as he must) to subdue him by force alone? 
I have broken a great many colts for the saddle and 
harness, and I never knew one of them to prove balky 
or vicious afterwards; and I have cured many a one of 
his vicious habits that was supposed to be spoiled by 
others. And here let me say to you, that if you should 
ever fail to accomplish your design in the manner herein- 
after set forth, and be compelled to resort to the lash, 
do not whip the horse in the team where you will be 
likely to worry the one at his side, nor before the wagon 
where he is likely to break the carriage or harness, 
besides conquering you (instead of being conquered), as 
most assuredly he will, nine times out of ten: and then 
you are worse off than when you began. But take him 
out of the harness to some convenient place (a stall for 
instance), where he is confined, so that he does not hurt 
you nor himself, and then chastise him as you think he 
deserves; or take him out of the harness and bit him 
close, and you will find it a difficult matter to drive him 
far from you with the whip, for he will oftener follow 
you around than run away. The reason of this will be 
made manifest as I proceed. 
18 



206 

You should not resort to the lash (if you would have 
a kind horse"), even if you should fail on the first or 
second trial with other means, nor be at all discouraged. 
Remember that time, patience, industry and perseverance, 
are among the grand masters of the world. And it is 
just as necessary that you do not let your horse know, or 
find out in any way, that you are afraid of him, as it is 
to avoid being excited or angry (as before stated). If 
you do, he is eertain to take advantage of it, and you 
can not control him- Never go up to a horse and slap 
him without first speaking to him, unless you are posi- 
tive that he sees you; then stand close to him, for it is use- 
less to try to dodge the ball after you hear the report of the 
gun, and then you are safer than you would be to stand 
off and reach towards him with the timidity of a coward, 
for he has not the chance then to hurt you even if he is 
vicious and so disposed. There is no high spirited horse 
that can not be balked; for instance, you ill-treat him by 
half-starving, overloading, holding him in, or hitching 
him to anything he can not draw and then whip him, 
and he will soon become discouraged and vicious; and 
then there is no horse of this temperament that can not, 
with proper management, be made kind and true to 
work in any place you wish him. Generally speaking, 
there are more balky drivers than balky horses. The 
reason of this is, they do not understand the nature and 
disposition of the horse they are tampering with. Balky 
horses are generally high spirited ones, easily excited^ 
frustrated, get mad, and the more they are whipped for 
it, the worse they get while under the sting of the lash; 
for their grit is already raised too high, and they become 



avery's own farrier. 207 

furiously mad and quite uncontrolable. But instead of 
this harsh treatment, they need something to calm and 
sooth them, and then they become perfectly manageable. 

A horse that has been thus ill-treated, will oftentimes 
allow himself to be caught in the field by a lady or 
child, and obey them in any reasonable task with kind 
treatment, when they would refuse to obey a cruel mas- 
ter in doing the same thing. The following text can be 
had reference to as you proceed with my views on the 
subject: 

With all his other noble qualities, the horse is a 
coward, by which he can be made to perform feats in 
the menagerie, through fear of punishment, that he can 
not be made to do in any other way. This accounts for 
his sometimes being conquered by coercion. And then 
there are other acts required of him where kind treat- 
ment is indispensably necessary to fit him for the service 
of the ring (as well as all other places), such as distin- 
guishing sounds, &c, or one word from another. To 
imitate lameness for instance, or to lay down, is a know- 
ledge he acquires by the familiarity of certain words, 
with a given signal to obey them. This, some pretend, is 
a recent discovery among the capabilities of the horse. 
To them it may be so, but others have long known that 
the horse could learn to distinguish the words woa, get 
up, or as the Frenchman says, mustaw, zounds, &c, 
from all others. But for domestic purposes, kind treat- 
ment is decidedly the best, and is the basis of all other 
proper modes of governing the horse, without which you 
can not have a kind, true and safe one for family use. 
I believe the earth produces suitable vegetation in 



208 

some form for the sustenance and welfare of the whole 
animal creation thereon; and that vegetation contains 
medicinal properties suitable for the prevention and cure 
of every known disease, when rightly understood and 
properly applied; and also among the different varieties, 
there are some suited to the peculiar taste and smell of 
every species of animals, by the use of which they may 
be ensnared, tamed, domesticated and made useful and 
submissive to the will of man. Those substances which 
the horse appears to be most passionately fond of, are 
what I purpose to speak of next. The reduction of him 
to a domesticated state, with skillful training until his 
education is completed, is one of the greatest acquisitions 
ever made by the art and industry of man. The charm, 
or great secret of taming horses as used by the ancients, 
is as follows: The horse-castor is a wart-like protube- 
rence that grows on the inside of every horse's fore legs; 
it has a peculiar, rank, musty smell, and is easily pulled 
off. The ammonial effluvia of the horse seems to con- 
centrate in this part, and its odor has a great attraction 
for animals, especially canine, and the horse himself. 
This should be taken off and dried by a moderate heat, 
as too great a heat destroys the scent thereof, when it 
should be grated into a fine powder, and corked tight in 
a bottle so as to exclude it from the air, and it is fit for 
use. For the oil of cummin the horse has an instinctive 
passion; both are said to be original natives of Arabia. 
When the horse scents its odor he is instinctively drawn 
towards it. The oil of rhodium possesses peculiar prop- 
erties; all animals seem to cherish a fondness for it; this, 
with the use of the others, produces a kind of languid 



209 

feeling, or subduing influence over the horse, so much so 
that you may do what you please with him, and he will 
not resent it, provided you do not hurt him. 

When a colt is old enough to wean and begin to feed, 
give him occasionally from the hand a piece of sugar, 
with a little of this powder sprinkled on it; this will 
make him very fond of you, and he will be seen coming 
towards you whenever he sees you in field, to get some 
of it to eat. In this way he will become very familiar 
with you, and always be good to catch — the contrary 
of which is a great fault with many. 

" 'Tis education forms the common mind-, 
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined. " 

But you should not deceive him b}' pretending you 
have something for him when you have not; for his 
memory is such that he may play you a trick in return by 
not coming to you next time. 

If you are dealing with a wild horse, or one that is 
hard to catch, you must use a little stratagem with him 
(as he is quite apt to do with you); rub some of the oil 
of cummin on your hand and pass him on the windward 
side of the field as close to him as you can without start- 
ing him. Act perfectly indifferent about catching him, 
or scarcely notice him after passing several times in his 
way. If he does not come to you before, go as near to 
him as you can, being sure to stop and stand still before 
he starts to leave you, and he will soon come to you, 
when you should let him smell of your hand, and also 
give him some of the powder to eat on sugar or a piece 
of an apple, and you will have no difficulty in haltering 
and leading him from the field. By having something in 



210 

your hand he likes, whether it is sugar, salt, or oats, you 
will not be likely to have any difficulty in catching him 
afterwards. 

There is no operation to be performed in breaking the 
colt or subduing the vicious horse, wherein he seems to 
be more sensible of the loss of his liberty, than he does 
by being bitted; and none where he appears to be more 
willing to obey our commands, when made known to 
him, than that of laying him down at our feet. 

BITTING THE HORSE. 

Whenever he is brought out for this purpose, give him 
something to eat from the hand that he likes, which 
makes him fond of you. Then put on the bit and curb, 
using a large bit for this purpose, until his mouth be- 
comes a little hardened, but not long enough at a time 
to tire him; if you do you overtax the muscles of the 
neck, which will have a tendency to throw the neck down 
instead of up; but begin gradually, day by day, until he 
is thoroughly bitted; always talk gently and caressingly 
to him, and he will follow you like a pet. 

If he is to be broke to work in the harness, hitch him 
to nothing but what he can draw easily at first, and in- 
crease his load by degrees. If you hitch him up by the 
side of one that is well broke, all the better. After he 
pulls well, give him some of the powder, or anything 
else he likes to eat; but if he refuses to go, blow a quill 
full of this powder up his nostril, and place about four 
drops of each of the oils in his nostrils and on his tongue, 
which you can do by means of a piece of sponge, or a 



211 

small thimble held between your thumb and finger, using 
no harsh means, and he will soon obey your command. 
If he is to be broke for the saddle, observe the above 
rules. Ride fearlessly and promptly with your knees 
pressed to the sides of the horse, and your toes in and 
heels out; then you will always be on the alert for a shy 
or a sheer, and he can not throw you provided you carry 
your hands close to his neck so as to grab the mane if 
necessary. 

TO LEARN A HORSE TO LIE DOWN. 

This he will often do the first time he is curbed, after 
he is well bitted and learned to follow you. Have a 
padded surcingle with a small ring in the back of it, then 
fasten the end of a small cord to the bit about twenty 
feet in length, and let the horse play around you, keep- 
ing hold of the other end of the cord. After learning 
him to play around you in changeful curves, right and 
left, bring him to you by means of the cord, and give 
him some of the sugar and powder to eat from the hand 
again (for tasting is one of the animal senses and must 
be gratified to gain the good will, &c), then let him run 
around again, and by cracking the whip in his face as a 
signal, he will soon learn to stop running, or come to 
you without the aid of cord, to taste something he likes; 
and all this at the crack of the whip. Now if you wish 
him to lie down, be gentle with him; and while you are 
patting and caressing him, place some of the oils in his 
nostrils, or on his tongue, or you may let him snuff chlo- 
roform from your handkerchief while you are brushing 
his nose (without being noticed if you choose). At the 



212 

same time run the cord from the bit through the ring in 
the surcingle, keeping hold of the other end, and start 
him off at a slow place, pulling gently on the cord till 
he comes round to you, and his nose is turned round near 
the ring, holding it there firmly with one hand and a 
switch in the other. Now command him in a clear and 
distinct tone to lie down, repeating the command and 
switching the fore legs until you are obeyed. By re- 
peating this operation several times, he will learn to lie 
down by commanding him, or even by any given signal 
to do so. When he lies down, you can loosen the cord 
and keep him down by placing your foot on his neck. 
He is now your pupil and friend, and can be -taught to 
understand and do almost anything you choose to learn 
him. Few horses, after being dealt with in this manner, 
will ever require anything else but kind treatment after- 
wards to always be kind and obedient in any spot you 
may place them. 

We sometimes meet with. vicious horses (as it were) 
or those that have been ill-treated by their owners, until 
they are afraid of almost every thing they see, and will 
balk even at the sight of the whip. To render them 
kind and safe for family use, or learn them to perform 
any of the feats they are capable of doing in the circus 
or menagerie, or to fit them for the parade or battle-field, 
is certainly a very desirable object. They should not be 
afraid of anything, but be taught to love and obey their 
masters, notwithstanding what may be going on around 
them. This can be accomplished only by kind treatment 
or a strict observance of the foregoing directions. To 
cure a horse of scaring at the sight of a lady's parasol, 



avery's own farrier. 213 

or anything that you can take in your hand — after placing 
some of the powder and oil of cummin on the nose — go 
up to him (talking in rather an undertone of voice) 
with the article in your hand, not shaking it to try to 
frighten him, but let him first smell of it; this he likes, 
for he smells nothing only what you rubbed on his nose, 
which he takes to be the object you hold in your hand; 
then carry it around, hold it over him, let him view it, 
and his fear will vanish. If he is afraid of a carriage 
top or anything that you can not well carry to him, the 
process will be the same; only you must lead or drive 
him to it, and not be hasty about urging him to approach 
the object of his fright, but give him time to view it and 
satisfy himself that it is nothing to hurt him. When he 
obeys your command in doing this (or anything), com- 
mend him by patting him on the neck, or giving him 
something to taste he loves. This inspires him with 
confidence and friendship which he remembers, and he 
will approach any object you wish him to fearlessly. 

The horse, unlike other animals, breathes only through 
the nostrils; hence we seethe distended nostril while he 
is in the act of running or hard breathing from whatever 
cause. So when the object is only to have him smell 
the medicine, place it on or in the nose. But when you 
wish it to have a little more subduing influence over the 
animal propensities, place it on the tongue. 

You may learn a horse to stand anywhere without 
hitching, by riding or driving him to where you can 
stop and leave him so he does not see you, and yet 
where you can lay you hand on the reins the moment he 
attempts to start, going to him often; and when he does 



214 

not start, give him something he loves to taste; pat and 
caress him; but you can not learn him to stand without 
hitching, by whipping him for starting. If you wish 
not to have your horse afraid of the report of a gun, or 
the noise of a drum, rub the oil of cummin on the nose 
so he will not smell the powder, and place about six or 
eight drops of the oil of rhodium on the tongue. Then 
commence drumming or firing near him, very lightly at 
first, occasionally giving him a little sugar or anything 
he likes to eat. You may increase ihe noise by degrees 
until he becomes so familiar with it that he will not care 
anything about the noise of a drum or gun at any time 
or place. 

It would be almost impossible for one man to point 
out all the niceties necessary to be observed in the edu- 
cation and training of the horse, even if he understood 
them; but if I were going to learn one the A B C, I 
would not try to teach him botany or algebra at the 
same time, for this would only confuse and overtax his 
memory. I would begin first by learning him thoroughly 
to understand some simple thing that he could easily com- 
prehend and remember, before I commenced w T ith another. 
Then take up another branch, and so on; for it is not 
so difficult to climb in this way, that we need to turn 
from the bramble and say sour grapes Be not hasty, 
and you will accomplish more in a given time. When 
you are trying to learn him anything, watch his eye and 
ear carefully, for by the motion of these you will be able 
to perceive whether he is inclined to do as you bid him 
or not; for it is only when he is in a playful mood that 
you need attempt to make an impression towards the 



215 

advancement of his education, If he is not inclined to 
obey you at first, wait patiently until he is; do not urge 
him too much at first; keep your eye on his, as he ever 
will on you; then you will discover by the motion of the 
ear and the expression of the eye when he is willing to 
mind you. Then show him whatever you wish him to 
do, by motions, or by pushing him to do it, or even in 
some cases do it yourself, and then make him do the 
same; for the horse is often known to imitate his master 
when thus inclined to mind. The word should always 
be distinctly given to suit every effort made to have him 
learn to do anything, whether there is to be any coercion 
used or not; and whenever he does the least thing as 
you tell him to, you should pat and give him a taste of 
anything he has learned to like, as an expression of de- 
light in being obeyed. In this way his memory enables 
him, as he becomes familiar with his master's voice and 
words, to be taught almost anything he choses to learn 
him, that his cultivated intellect is capable of acquiring. 
You can learn him to understand what you say to him; 
and you can learn him to perform any little trick you 
please, by the slightest motion of the hand, foot or whip, 
or even by the motion of your own eye, telling him in 
this way what you w T ish him to do, after he has become 
familiar with the signal, by its being accompanied with 
the word. Such is the keen perception of this animal. 
When a horse has been well broke in this manner, 
or by kind treatment, he will always be safer to drive 
and handle than one broke in the usual manner (or not 
at all, as a great many are), and he will remain so 
through life, or at least in the hands of a kind master; 



216 avery's own farrier. 

for he has been trained and educated, and is more tame 
and obedient, consequently his value is greater. 

When you have a horse that is bad to handle with 
the bridle, and apt to pull too hard for you, have a slip 
rein and let it run over the top of his head instead of 
the jaw, and you will have no difficulty in managing 
him j though I have seen them so well broke that they 
did not need any bridle on at all, but would obey the 
word, and yet they would come out of the stable like 
tigers in respect to courage. 

Can the horse be charmed? I say he can. 

" Like the tone of the gun, 

That startles the deep, when the combat's begun," 

I've had my horse take fright and run, 

When others might think they were undone. 

But I whistled and laughed quite merrily when it 
would have the effect of stopping him (almost without 
the use of the reins) before going ten rods. I do not 
say that every one can do this; some are gifted more 
than others. But any one can do a great deal towards 
driving away fear at such times, which is always so 
disastrous, for man has the power of mind and capacity 
given him, necessary to control and govern the horse 
under almost every circumstance, when he learns how 
to apply it to this purpose. You can, to say the least, 
instead of hallowing and screaming, or jumping over- 
board, if you speak at all do it mildly, and in rather an 
under tone of voice with the help of the reins. 

And you will be most likely to calm his fear, 

And rejoice when you check him in his mad career. 

Now, by following these directions, and always show- 



avery's own farrier. 217 

ing yourself kind to the horse, you will be able to learn 
him anything that he is capable of performing, and he 
will not be afraid of everything he sees, but will obey 
your commands. For this reason it inspires him with 
confidence, and he takes you to be his friend. Such is 
the efficacy of this mode of treatment, with or without 
medicating; it creates a friendly feeling towards you at 
the time by subduing the animal propensities of his 
nature, and then by kind treatment afterwards, you can 
keep up this feeling. Thus you are lord and master, and 
have dominion over him, though some may doubt the 
authenticity of this remark; but notwithstanding the 
lapse of ages and the progress of our race, man, with 
all his wisdom, has not been able to pen a more truth- 
ful one since this was done, in this respect. 

This rule is more particularly applicable to the high 
spirited or intelligent horse. When he will not go with- 
out the whip, he can seldom be made to go with it.* 
He can and should be made to feel the bit, and obey the 
motion of the rein and whip, which he can be made to 
fear to a certain degree sufficient for this purpose, with- 
out blunting the edge of his better feelings.f Now, ride 
fearlessly and as merry as you please with the reins in 

=* And when he is, he generally has to be broke every time he is 
harnessed. 

t Draw a taut rein, a gentle pressure increases the speed of the 
walker; a sudden roll of the hand (that holds the reins) so as to draw 
one and slack the other, is a signal to trot; and both alternately the 
gallop. Either the slack rein or word will notify him when he is to 
stop. 

19 



218 avery's own farrier. 

one hand and a good whip in the other, fearing nothing 
except a mean act. 

It is hoped that those who may chance to read this for 
the purpose of gaining knowledge, may be benefited by 
its perusal. They can melt the contents thereof in the 
mind's crucible, giving me credit only for what is left 
after taking out the dross. But those who read it with, 
no other motive than that of fault-finding, can keep their 
rods in pickle, and have the lasso in readiness, until they 
think they are able to profit by their use. Reader, will 
you please to excuse me for making these side remarks, 
for I get almost angry at myself sometimes, because I 
can not do any better. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

ON THE SUBJUGATION OF THE HORSE WITHOUT MEDICATION. 

The foregoing is a very humane system of treating 
the horse, and one that is attended with the best success 
in subjugating all horses for domestic purposes; and yet 
there is another method by which they may be trained 
and subjugated, that no less shows the superiority of 
man than the willingness of the horse to obey him, when 
our wishes are made known to him; without medica- 
tion. The domesticated horse seldom needs anything 
more than kind treatment at our hands to render him 
obedient to our commands, after he has learned what we 
desire of him, for his instinct leads him to love and obey 
man. Although the horse, not unlike other animals in 



avery's own farrier. 219 

this respect, is possessed of a kind of wild fear of man 
(in a natural state), that must be overcome before we 
can successfully proceed to learn him anything else. 
This the Mexicans, as well as the Indians, accomplish in 
their way with the lasso, in catching them wild, by de- 
coying and riding up to a herd of them, and throwing it 
over the head of one (around the neck of the animal), 
and then follow him in the chase until he is choked 
down. After this he is not hurt, but caressed and talked 
to, when he is hampered and led to the camp without 
further trouble, where he soon learns to love and obey 
his master. 

" Make my breast, 
Transparent as pure crystal, that the world jealous 
Of me may see the foulest thought my heart 

Doth hold." 

Some thirty years ago, while experimenting with a 
balky horse that had refused to pull, having some dis- 
tance to travel, and night being near, after other means 
(that we were then acquainted with) had failed to make 
him pull, as trying to lead him by holding a handfull of 
oats or hay before his nose, getting on his back and try- 
ing to ride him, whistling, changing drivers, and whip- 
ping, &c, for these things had sometimes caused him to 
pull, but being of no use to us now, I availed myself of the 
expedient of taking a large rope halter, giving it a slip 
noose round his neck, and then hitched another team to 
the other end of the rope, by which means he was drawn 
some twenty rods. Some of the way he was on his feet 
and the remainder on his side; after which he pulled 
well for a long time. And whenever he refused to pull 



220 avery's own farrier. 

after this, all that was necessary to make him obey the 
word, was to place a rope or strap around his neck and 
choke him a few minutes. By this I learned that chok- 
ing had a subduing influence over the most obstinate of 
horses, and which I occasionally resorted to. A friend, 
where we stopped over night, requested me to tell him 
how I managed to make that horse work so well (for he 
was an old offender), and I told him the process made 
use of on this occasion. About a year after this I again 
met this friend, when he threatened to give me a flog- 
ging, for, said he, I had a noble horse, only once in a 
while he would balk so I could do nothing with him, so 
I just put a chain around his neck, and hitched my oxen 
to it and draws him only just a little ways, and Ise broke 
his neck — Ise did! This circumstance made me a little 
cautious about recommending this mode of subduing the 
horse, and also led me to study the nature and disposi- 
tion of him more carefully, for I thought if he could be 
subdued in this way, there must be a nobler and better 
way for man to accomplish, it. Therefore, on the dis- 
covery (to me) of such an one, I abandoned the former, 
as cruel and barbarous, more than twenty years ago. 

Now I do not expect to be fortunate enough to make 
myself renowned in relating my experience or observa- 
tion of the horse in this respect; but I trust, mainly on 
the merits of this subject, to become useful to those who 
feel an interest in this important topic Firstly, the 
horse is governed and receives his instruction through the 
five senses, viz: seeing, tasting, hearing, smelling, and 
feeling; the one of seeing seems to rather predominate, 
but the most of these are more acute than even man's, 



avery's own farrier. 221 

for they partially supply the place of reason in the ani- 
mal. Secondly, he is governed (like all other animals) 
by his instinct, which is combined in the five senses; and 
one of the qualities of his instinct is to fear the approach 
of man, whom he looks upon as his superior. This is 
more especially the case when he is in a wild state; but 
when this wild fear is changed to love by kind treat- 
ment, it is increased an hundred fold. Another of these 
is to love and obey man when domesticated and educated, 
which he generally does unless his animal propensities 
are aroused by ill-treatment; for it is an undisputed prin- 
ciple in the nature of this animal not to offer resistance 
to our wishes, when made known to him in a manner 
that he can understand us; and of course it follows that 
this must be done in accordance with the laws of his 
nature. 

As an evidence of my position here, allow me to di- 
gress a little from the subject in question in order to 
illustrate my views of this instinct. All created beings 
have a share of this after their kind, and in their own 
peculiar manner, according to their respective grades and 
circumstances. For instance, look at the chicken; see 
him hide and skulk away (at first sight) from his deadly 
foe, the hawk, as he approaches him; and how soon he 
yields when once clasped in the talons of his masterly 
power. He appears to be sensible of his inferiority to 
the hawk; and so it is with the smallest insect that crawls 
on the earth; they all appear to be acquainted with each 
other's habits and propensities up through the whole 
chain of created beings. Speaking of this chain, as 
some may doubt the theory, reminds me of what the phi- 



222 



losopher Wyllys truthfully says in regard to it: that if 
there was a link wanting, the ends thereof surely lap by 
far enough to tie, and that some of the lower order of 
the human species run below some of the higher grades 
of animals, as to their reasoning faculties, there can be 
but little doubt. And as another evidence of what I have 
stated above, you will permit me to relate the story of 
the spider and the snake, as told by the Hon. A. B. 
Dickinson, which I will give in his own words. " I will 
not attempt," he says, " to say where instinct leaves off 
or knowledge begins, but, perhaps, I may as well, by way 
of illustration, tell a story, though most of you have un- 
doubtedly heard it, and many were witnesses to this won- 
derful sagacity on the part of the spider in stringing a 
snake up by the neck. The great thing in the whole 
affair was in putting the web over the mouth of the 
snake, which was done with as much skill as a first class 
mechanic could have muzzled a dog to prevent his biting. 
This web was secured around the snake's neck, and then 
hoisting was commenced at the rate of one-quarter of 
an inch in twenty-four hours, by thickening and twisting 
up the web. 

The snake was first discovered by a merchant, under 
his counter, where he had undoubtedly been carried with 
saw dust, which had been put in several weeks previous 
to prevent mud from being tracked about; the store. When 
the reptile was first discovered by the merchant he took 
a club to kill it, but he observed that it seemed to be fast 
without seeing what held it, the web being too small to 
be seen by the naked eye. After he became satisfied 
through a magnifying glass that the creature was fast- 



223 

ened, he next discovered that the web was around its 
neck, and fastened to the under part of the shelf. They 
were watched closely day by day until the snake died; 
the spider had raised the head of the snake from the floor 
slowly but surely each day, and when that work was 
finished, he commenced biting the snake about the head, 
sufficiently to draw the blood, which could be seen with 
a glass. Each time the snake was speared he would 
spring and jump so as to stretch the web several inches.* 
I traveled fifty-two miles and made two journeys to see 
this most wonderful performance. What a lesson is 
taught us here of the sagacity and ingenuity of a little 
spider conqueiing the reptile of many hundred limes its 
own bulk. Let it therefore admonish us what the mind 
of man is destined to accomplish, and what it must do to 
equal the knowledge of this little insect." 

Man is not only placed at one end of this great chain, 
but he forms the hook that hangs it up on the throne of 
Jehovah, and the swivel and pivot also upon which the 
whole turns; and it extends from thence to the — yes, be- 
yond the surface to the very centre of the earth and the 
bottomless deep; and, notwithstanding its crooks and 
nooks, and all its mysterious windings, there is a current 
of electric life running through the whole length thereof 
that proceeds from the great battery from which all know- 
ledge and instinct flows. 

Nor does the mind find a place of rest here. Botanists 
tell us that plants have lungs, and nervous systems. We 

*The horse, too, lives in r ear of the snake; you can not ride him on 
to one of them, he will either side off, back away, or jnmp over them 
if possible. 



224 avery's own farrier. 

know they have the means of circulating their fluids, and 
they may have the sense of feeling as well. Now look 
at the little so called sensitive plant, and behold the 
grandeur, the sublimity and the wisdom of the great 
Architect of the Universe. One that loves to dwell on 
this theme may follow the chain down until he finds 
some animals that are nearly plants; then turn to the 
lovely and beautiful plants and flowers, and he can 
almost see animals in them; or, at least, he can see the 
arteries through which the circulating fluid flows from 
its mother earth to the notched and spiral leaves of the 
smallest plant, and the veins also by which it is returned 
from whence it came, which is the heart of the vegetable 
kingdom as much as the heart of animals is the fountain 
head of the circulating fluid. 

Do not think that I am going to do by you as the man 
did who bought several gallons to treat the crowd with, 
and then kept it all to himself; I will talk about the horse 
directly. 

Man stands at the head of all created beings, for all will 
tremble and crouch with feara\ his approach, except when 
congregated in numbers, or driven by hunger, or when 
attacked in a warlike manner, or when there is no chance 
to flee. Then if man is placed at the head of all these, 
it shows the importance of his studying his own nature, 
and if he arrives at the highest state of his moral culture 
to which he is attainable, all the better, so as not to 
abuse the power invested in him, and enable him to turn 
all these things to the best and most profitable account. 
What then has man to fear from the brute creation 
when he becomes acquainted with his ability to govern 



225 

and control them all, and when he sees the most fero- 
cious beasts flee at his approach? As I stated above, 
the domesticated horse loves man, and I very much doubt 
whether there is another creature on earth that is so 
universally beloved by man as the horse. They look 
upon him as their friend, and when in trouble will run 
to him for help and protection. As an evidence of this 
fact I need only relate one circumstance that I witnessed 
with my friend and neighbor, Casler, and others. I had 
a mare that owned a colt about a week old running in a 
field wherein was an old well fourteen feet deep, which 
had been covered with plank, which by some means had 
got off, so that the colt fell into the well. This happened 
about the break of day, and before I had got out of bed 
I heard the noise and clatter of a horse's hoofs which 
awoke me. This was followed by a loud neigh of a 
horse at my door. I scrambled out of bed and went to 
the door just in time to see the old mare returning 
towards the well that was some forty rods distant. See- 
ing her look down into the well and then start for the 
house again, I anticipated the trouble she was in. I 
summoned help and started for the well, but not without 
being met several times by the old mare (who seemed to 
be almost frantic) as if to hurry us on to the place of 
disaster. When we arrived, the colt was splashing in 
the water at the bottom. We immediately got him out 
with the help of ropes that we took along with us, when 
they both followed us back to the house; and whenever 
we stopped, the mare would stand by us, and even lick 
our hands, as well as the colt, in thankfulness for the 
assistance we had rendered her in rescuing: her colt, 



226 

But to return more direct to the subject in question, I 
will proceed to show what man should be to accomplish 
his purpose with the horse, and then by what means he 
can do it. The timidity* of many persons only prevents 
their becoming successful horse tamers fully equal to the 
great Dampteurs of the present day. It requires almost 
a reckless courage, a patience that never tires, and a 
temper that nothing can ruffle. With these requisites, 
any one may enter the pleasing labor of subjugating and 
educating the horse with almost a certainty of success. 
All men are not endowed with this gift; though any one 
of common ability who studies the horse minutely, will 
soon learn by his quick perception and judgment to 
govern the horse, notwithstanding the great difference 
of organization and temperament that belongs to this 
animal, which does not always consist in a uniform plan 
of operating withal], but must be varied according to their 
individual capabilities after subdung their wild fear. 
This is a study which, if pursued systematically, will be 
one of the most ennobling, as well as profitable branches 
of the industry of breeders and the farmer's occupation, 
for it will enhance their horse's value at least one-half 
(in some cases) by rendering them more docile and safe 
to guide and handle. In a word, the man should be in 
every respect of good disposition, and the law of kind- 
ness should be fixed in his mind as the keystone of all 
successful theories of treatment towards the horse. And 
he should look for help only where it is to be found. 

* I might refer here to the daring feats accomplished by M. Blon- 
din, and others, to show what man is capable of arriving at when 
destitute of fear. 



avery's own farrier. 227 

This is what preserved Daniel in the lion's den, and is 
what may save many people the great trouble they meet 
with in endeavoring to manage the horse. 

How it is done. — The horse is to be taken into a room 
or close stable, so that his attention may not be attracted 
by surrounding objects. Then the man, after placing a 
halter or bridle on him to hold him by, with his power- 
ful, mental and physical organization, and indomitable 
will, proceeds to gaze directly in the eye of the horse, 
which will most assuredly be met by that of the animal. 
After standing in this position a few moments, the man 
gently passes his hand over the vertebrae and temples of 
the horse; this quiets and soothes the nerves of the 
head, whatever the propensities of the animal may be, 
being careful not to relinquish his gaze at any time while 
he is thus caressing him. If the horse is too vicious for 
a person to stand with safety before him, he can have a 
partition between them for his safety. There is a certain 
tone of voice also to be used, which should be modulated 
according to the temperament of the animal, so as to 
further the ends sought after. Two lessons a day, say 
from ten to fifteen minutes at a time, are sufficient; and 
the worst of horses will generally yield to the supremacy 
of the man after two or three days' trial, and become 
perfectly docile and obedient. You may call this mag- 
netism or what you please. " The light of the body is 
the eye, if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body 
shall be full of light," Matthew, vi, 22. There is still 
another way which expediency sometimes calls for, viz: 
After proceeding as stated above, whether your horse is 
in harness or not, if he does not yield, pass the left hand 



228 avery's own farrier. 

over the face, and let it drop suddenly and seize him 
by the nose, pinching it so close he can not breath, at 
the same time grasping the left ear in your right hand 
firmly, not losing sight of his eye. 

" Nor let a wave of trouble roll, 
Across your fearless breast," 
Lest all should be lost but soul, 
And success wilL crown the rest. 

Now you hold his five senses (as it were) within your 
grasp, which are all the same both in the most haggard 
and mean-looking horse that draws a coal cart, and in 
the fiery steed; although they may have been blunted 
by hard fare and ill-usage in the one, and cultivated by 
kind treatment and skill in the other. The nose is 
closed so that he does not breathe, consequently he does 
not smell, neither can he taste. You obstruct his hear- 
ing by holding on to the ear; he is made sensible now 
of the touch of feeling for he can not shake you off, but, 
like an Indian when his finger is in your mouth, he pulls 
steadily back after the first struggle, forgetting he has 
any other means of hurting you. Your eye is master of 
his, for he sees nothing in you now but the masterly 
courage and power you hold over him, which he readily 
submits to. This will cow the ugliest horse you ever 
saw; he is completely conquered now, and all you have 
to do is to teach him that you wish to be obeyed. This 
is all the coercion that need to be used to subdue the 
very worst of horses. To learn a colt to back w T ell is 
is sometimes the most difficult thing you have to learn 
him, which can be done effectually by following the 
above plan, having a second person behind him at the 



avery's own farrier. 229 

same time to pull on the reins, though I would not resort 
to this until other means had failed. 

To test this theory, let two men (for instance) look 
steadily and direct into each other's eyes, with the full 
determination of each to outlook the other; the one or 
the other must soon give out yielding to the power of the 
other. And so it is with the horse; he is mentally 
weaker than man and must yield to his superiority when 
once brought in contact with the strong battery of his 
mental power, for this is a sort of mental war between 
the horse and his master, which may depend in a greater 
or less degree on the physical strength that accompanies 
it. This war, too, may be considered all the harder for 
man to fight on account of the energies of the animal, 
the whole river of life being used to carry his own mill. 
But when we have all the energies attributable to the 
animal, and the gift of reason besides to help guide and 
direct, then there must be a misapplication if we are not 
the victors. If there is any doubt remaining with any 
one whether the horse knows the difference between 
good and ill-trealment, you spit on his nose and see how 
quick he will resent it, by throwing up his head and 
leering, as much as to say, you may get bit, or I will 
send my heels at you, if you repeat the insult. And see 
that he does not remind you of it the next time he has 
an opportunity. He loves you because you first loved 
him. When and wherever this principle is rightly un- 
derstood, the business of going around the country and 
obtaining from five to ten dollars a piece from the boys 
for learning them how to choke horses, will be at an 
end as it should be, for I have seen several valuable horses 
20 



230 

very much injured in this way; and all that pretend to 
know anything about the nature of the horse, will con- 
sent that the law of kindness is the true principle to be 
adopted in the subjugation and culture of the animal.* 
"Why then resort to the most barbarous cruelty that can 
be inflicted on him to commence what some call the art 
of taming] 

HARNESSING. 

The manner in which a colt is to be first harnessed is 
of some importance, and should be done with care. In 
the first place, he should be made familiar with the har- 
ness or saddle, by letting him smell and touch it with 
his nose, as well as to see it; then carry it around him 
and rub it against him until he becomes satisfied that it 
is nothing that will hurt him before you attempt to throw 
it on him, which should be carefully done so as not to 
scare him with it. The harness once being on him, it 
should be firmly buckled, but not too tight; the collar 
should be a good fit; you may then proceed to pull on 
the traces, bidding him to pull also, and practice him in 
this way until he finds out he is able to draw you around 
the barn or yard. Then you may hitch him to a wagon 
or light load at first, and every day increase the load 
(never loading him so that he can not draw the load 
easily) until his breast gets hardened so that he can 

* The peculiar instinct of the horse, accounts for his being subdued 
in so many different ways, by those that did not understand this 
principle — but they do not lay him at their feet at once without 
coercion or drugging, which is done so dexterously as not to be de- 
tected by those present. 



avery's own farrier. 231 

draw without hurting him. The colt seldom refuses to , 
pull the first time he is harnessed; but by overloading to 
see how much he can draw when his breast is tender, he 
bruises it with the collar by drawing too hard, making 
it sore, so that the second or third time you harness him, 
he refuses to pull because it hurts him to do so, and then 
he flinches and flies back; then, according to the old 
method of treatment, he must be flogged into it or he 
will be balky; and nine to one if he does not form habits 
in this way that he never forgets, and especially when, 
he happens to be placed in like circumstances. 

There is more truth than poetry in the philosopher's 
remark, that a colt was never broken only on one side 
at a time. For you may first break him to have the har- 
ness laid on from 1 ] the near or left side without fear (as 
we generally do), but if you approach him with it on 
the off or right side, he is as shy of it as though he had 
never been harnessed. For this reason people have 
sometimes been greatly disappointed in trying to catch 
their horse in the pasture by going up to him on the 
wrong side, and when they thought they had their hand 
almost on him, why, he was gone, and then comes the 
chase. Then you break a horse to step into the thills 
from the near side to your liking, and he knows nothing 
about going in from the off side. And so it is in learn- 
ing him to take his place on either side of the pole, or 
another horse; and he is as awkward when you wish 
him to change sides as though he had never seen either. 
Therefore, in breaking a horse, he should be used to 
having the harness placed over him from either side, and 
be learned to take his place on either side of the pole, 



232 

or another horse, by first leading him to his place, and, 
at the same time, telling him in plain words, as right or 
left, what to do, and he soon becomes so familiar with 
the words that he is ready to. obey them. Afterwards 
his eye will tell him to do what his ear learned him be- 
fore. In the same manner the ring master is enabled to 
change the routine of performance in the ring by the 
use of words, which is no new thing in the nature of the 
horse if men have just learned that he is capable of dis- 
tinguishing sounds. Consequently we see the necessity 
of educating the horse with a knowledge of his nature, 
for he can not in truth be said to be thoroughly broken 
until he is broken on both sides. 

BLINDERS, OR BLINKERS, 

As a general thing, I think had better be dispensed 
with, though there are some arguments in favor of their 
use, as well as against them. They may afford some 
protection to the eye when a horse is driven in severe 
storms, for when he is at liberty he is always seen to 
shield the eye from the pelting storms, by turning his 
rump in that direction from which it beats the hardest; 
and when the rays of a hot sun are too oppressive for the 
eye, he is frequently seen to hold the head in the shade 
of his own body. And then a very lazy horse, or one of 
poor memory, is generally freer to go and mind when 
driven with blinders on, than he is without. For this 
reason he is more apt to be afraid of the word and whip, 
which is prejudicial to the better horse. The noble 
spirited and well educated horse should have the free use 
of the eye; and he will not unfrequently shun dangers 



avery's own farrier. 233 

that would not be seen by man in time to avoid them; 
therefore such a horse is safer when driven without blinds 
than with. 

As we are all liable to err, I doubt not but that I have 
committed some errors in this work that may appear to 
the more polished minds of some, but what I ask of such 
is to place them all in the dark back ground, and view 
them as we should view the great contrasts there are in 
human life, and then see if they can not discover some 
bright spots in the picture I'have drawn, standing out in 
bold relief that are pleasing, profitable and useful for 
man to possess. 



PART II 



PHARMACOPCEA. 

In giving medicine, much must necessarily depend on 
the judgment of the one administering it — as to quantity, 
and the time of giving, &c; for it would be impossible 
to lay down rules that would be adapted to all cases. 
So it often happens that you should vary the quantity, 
and time of giving, according to the strength of the ani- 
mal and the severity of the case; but I will endeavor to 
do what I can to assist you in this respect, first saying, 
that where you find the quantity given, it may be con- 
sidered as a medium dose. 

I will say one thing more, that is, after giving any 
kind of medicine, wait a sufficient time to see the 
operation thereof, before trying anything else, otherwise 
the one might counteract the other, or act in conjunction 
with it, and thereby lessen the strength of the patient 
beyond what would be necessary. Therefore, it is best 
not to be hasty in matters of this kind. 

A tablespoonfull is supposed to be equal to half an 
ounce, or four drachms, yet many of the modern spoons 



avery's own farrier. 235 

will contain five drachms; a teaspoonfull will equal 
about seventy drops, a drop will contain a quantity pro- 
portioned to the size of the vial from which it fails, a 
common ounce vial is a medium size; one-third of a 
teaspoonfull will be one scruple, or twenty grains in 
weight. What would be a dose for a man, may be in- 
creased as much as the food of the horse exceeds that of 
man, in many cases. Better give too little than too 
much. 

By decoction, I mean the boiling of herbs or other 
substances, and where a large quantity of water is re- 
quired for this purpose, after boiling a sufficient time 
to obtain the strength thereof; strain and boil down if 
the object is to use it as a salve — though long continued 
boiling is liable to lessen the active matter therein con- 
tained, if used as a wash. 

By teas and infusions, I mean simply the steeping of 
articles in hot water — not boiling them. 

Tinctures are made by imbuing the articles, or sub- 
stance, in alcohol, from seven to fourteen days. 

Volatile Oils are made by throwing a sufficient quantity 
of water on the substance to be acted upon, so as to pre- 
vent the volatile spirit from flying off during distillation. 
After maceration for a proper length of time, distil, and 
separate the oil from the water; as it may be lighter 
than the water and swim on the surface, or heavier and 
sink to the bottom. So, according to this method, the 
oils of anise, wormwood, peppermint, origanum, rose- 
mary and sassafras are prepared. And then by adding 
a sufficient quantity of alcohol, to cut the oil, we have 
the essence. 



236 avery's own farrier. 

Now, let us talk about the- horse a little. Everything 
that is digested in the stomach, goes to help form blood; 
anything that is not digested, acts more directly on the 
kidneys and urine, or passes off with the evacuations of 
the bowels, or through the pores of the skin; lor these 
are the principal outlets of all food and medicine taken 
into the bowels, except what is absorbed in the growth 
and support of nature. Hence those oils, balsams, and 
articles used for urinary difficulties, are among the things 
not so easily digested. 

When the horse is (or appears) quite sick — if his 
appetite is not much impaired, his bowels move regu- 
larly and healthy, he urinates well, and his skin feels 
soft and looks glossy — he can not be seriously ill, except 
from some local difficulty, and this can not be of long 
continuance without affecting some of the above named 
functions. Some people talk a great deal about doctor- 
ing the blood, but if a horse is ill in any way, these 
things should be first looked into; and, when properly 
attended to, the blood will take care of itself, and other 
things will be found of minor importance. If a horse is 
diseased, treat him accordingly, but do not (because you 
have learned how to treat a few complaints) be con- 
tinually dosing him with medicine that he does not 
need, and the effect of which you do not know on the 
system. 

The Thorax is that part of the body from the mouth 
(or throat rather), quite back to the midriff or diaphragm, 
containing the heart and lungs. That part back of the 
midriff is called abdomen; containing the intestinal 



avery's own farrier. 237 

canal, &c. The upper part of the wind-pipe is called 
the larynx; the lower part, the trachea. 

Acute, and sometimes chronic, or slow lingering in- 
flammation of the larynx, takes place; it is generally- 
brought on by hard colds, though sometimes it is caused 
by eating too early mown or dusty hay, the pollen from 
the flowers of which consists of a very fine flour, very 
irritative to this part of the thorax, which is particularly 
sensitive. This difficulty is frequently taken by many 
for lung fever, the heaves, &c.; but is unlike either, ex- 
cept in difficult breathing, as drawing in of the sides 
with a long breath. It is attended with some fever, 
quick pulse and costiveness; the breathing becomes more 
and more difficult, and, unless relief is found, the horse 
dies from actual suffocation. This disease will warrant 
heavy bleeding, and treat as you would for distempers, 
with a free use of the condition powders No. 1, herein- 
after mentioned. 

Death beginning at the Lungs. — As in suffocation, the 
circulation and the organic functions cease; the animal 
is said to be alive so long as any of the organic func- 
tions are going on. The heart continues to act after 
respiration has ceased; the ventricle of the heart con- 
tinues to propel the blood to all parts of the body, but 
the blood is now incapable of supporting life, and a few 
waves to the brain destroys its functions, and the blood 
from want of asration in the lungs, destroys the action 
of the heart itself, and every part through which it cir- 
culates; but at what particular time they become insensi- 
ble to pain, must for all time to come remain unknown. 



238 

Death beginning at the Brain. — " In this the func- 
tions of the brain (voluntary motion) cease first; respira- 
tion next fails. Sudden deaths, beginning at the brain, 
occur in the case of severe injury to the head, epileptic 
fits (blind staggers), and the taking of narcotics and 
other poisons." 

Death beginning at the Heart. — " Here the order is 
reversed, the pulsations of the heart are first stopped, and 
as the brain is not supplied with the stimulus of blood, 
voluntary motion gradually fails. Breathing, in this 
case, is the last act of life. Sudden deaths beginning at 
the heart, occur from poison, diseases affecting the heart, 
&c." 

Death by causes acting upon the system generally. — 
" Hemorrhage produces death by its effects upon the 
whole system, and not by its suddenly checking the 
heart's action; for the heart continues to act after all 
supply to it is cut off. In death from arsenic, lightning, 
and by compressions made on the brain and spinal mar- 
row, vitality in all the animal economy ceases at once." 

POISONS. 

May enter the body in different ways — with the food, 
through the anus by clysters, through the nostrils and 
lungs with the air, through the absorbents of the skin, 
either whole, ulcerated, cut or torn. Poisoned wounds 
may be made by the stings of bees, wasps, hornets, and 
the bite of animals, as dogs, snakes, &c. 

Jlntidotes for Poisons. — Stings are to be treated by the 
application of cold water, clay and vinegar, and opodel- 



avery's own farrier. 239 

doc. If there is much swelling, bleeding and a dose of 
salts will be useful. For bites of animals, apply to the 
wound a poultice of pumiced onions, or quick lime and 
oil; after which dress with the fresh juice of the common 
plaintain. Where mineral poisons has been taken into 
the stomach, give (as soon as possible) freely of lime 
water, this sheathes the stomach against its action on it, 
then give honey, chalk, or sugar in water, with a view 
to dilute the poison if possible — but do not give physic 
immediately, for it will carry the whole poison into the 
bowels and certainly produce death. Camphor is an an- 
tidote for strychnine. When any of the alkalies have 
been taken in sufficient quantities to prove disastrous, 
vinegar is the proper antidote; it must be given in large 
quantities, it neutralizes the alkali. When any of the 
strong acids have been taken, the reverse of the above 
is the treatment to be used. But if the animal should be 
troubled with very difficult breathing and irregular pulse, 
give often of calcined magnesia in water, if this is not 
to be had, give soft soap, soda, or chalk in water. 

Condition Powder No. 1. — The superfine flour of 
slippery elm bark (ulmas fulva) is what I use as the 
basis of these powders; this of itself is good in most 
diseases and harmless in health, viz: it is good in fevers, 
and in inflammations of all kinds. It lubricates the 
urinary passages in difficulties of that kind. Jt is good 
in cases of colds and coughs, by loosening the phlegm, 
and allaying inflammation in the larynx and trachea; 
it also acts as a diaphoretic. To one pound of the above, 
add nearly one-fourth of flour of sulphur; it is by a con- 



240 avery's own farrier. 

tinued use of the sulphur, in small doses, that its benefit 
is derived ; this may be sweetened with pulverized sugar 
and scented with anise, to render it more pleasant and 
palatable; then a little mustard, ginger, or cayenne 
may be added, to whet the appetite, &c. Dose, a table- 
spoonfull once a day, except in urgent cases twice a day. 
And you may add to these powders, any other ingredient 
that you think will be beneficial, according to the con- 
dition of the animal. You will find them to answer a 
much better purpose than those you buy at the shops, and 
will not cost you half as much. 

Heave Powders. — May be made the same as the con- 
dition powders, by only adding one-fourth as much as 
you do of the sulphur of pulverized lobelia seed (inflata), 
the dose to be divided and given morning and evening; 
or what will be still better, is to work it up into a ball, 
with honey or balsam of fir, and give it in that way. 
This, with frequent drinks, made by infusing the Irish 
moss in water and sweetened with loaf sugar, will be 
attended with the best success in heaves. This is an 
excellent drink in all kinds of coughs, &c. 

Tobacco, is a cathartic, diuretic, narcotic, and anti- 
spasmodic. Five or six large spoonsfull of strong infu- 
sion of tobacco, mixed with a quart of gruel, and used 
as an injection, will afford relief in violent colics — 
sometimes w T hen the bowels can not be moved by any other 
physic. The smoke of this weed is also very good for 
a like purpose, by being injected, and also for dispelling 
wind, &c. 

A Salve, made by boiling the inner bark of the dog 



241 

acne, and the bark of the bittersweet root (Dulcamaras) 
together; after boiling sufficiently, strain, and simmer 
down with hog's lard. It is a very soothing and healing 
salve for wounds or bruises, made by kicks, &c; and 
when the wound is much swollen or inflamed, the infu- 
sion of tobacco may be added to advantage. 

By Diuretics are meant those medicines which increase 
the discharge of urine; for this purpose spirits of nitre 
may be given, from half to one ounce for a dose, for 
once or twice, but when continued it is liable to produce 
inflammation of the urinary organs. Broom corn tops 
or seed, boiled in water, and given freely, prove an ex- 
cellent diuretic; and also boughs or balsam o'f fir. 

Diuretic or Urine Balls — Are made as follows: hard 
soap, common turpentine, balsam of fir, each four drachms, 
oil of juniper, twenty drops, powdered rosin to form a 
ball. For dropsy or water-farcy, add to the above all- 
spice and ginger, each two drachms; make four balls, 
and give one morning and evening until it has the de- 
sired effect. 

Diaphoretics — Are those medicines that increase the 
natural exhalation by the skin; that is, they produce per- 
spiration or sweating. Thoroughwort (Eupatorium per- 
foliatum), boneset. crosswort, thoroughstem or Indian 
sage, hemlock, sassafras, ginger, and cayenne pepper, with 
many other things act as a diaphoretic. 

Expectorants. — These are medicines which facilitate 

the rejection of mucus, phlegm, or other fluids, from the 

throat, trachea and lungs. For this purpose the follow- 

ing will be found beneficial, viz: the slippery elm tea, 

which may be made by throwing two tablespoonsfull of 
21 



242 

the flour into one quart of water, and sweeten with mo- 
lasses; stir well and it will form a thick jelly. The Irish 
moss, also prepared in a similar manner, the onion juice, 
which can be obtained by boiling them in pot liquor, or 
by frying them in goose oil, are good to loosen the 
phlegm and help a cough. Sweating the head and throat 
is also useful in loosening the phlegm, and creating a ; 
discharge at the nostrils, in severe colds, &c., for which 
the black sheep's wool is excellent to bind on the head 
and neck; then steam the head over scalding hot bran, 
or by turning vinegar on a hot stone under the nose. 
The black wool is thought to be preferable to any other 
for this purpose. 

Anthelmintics — Are remedies that expel worms from the 
intestines. Alum is the only thing necessary to be used 
for this purpose, with the horse. When this is not to be 
obtained, tobacco may be used sparingly in lieu thereof, 
with plenty of sage tea. 

Refrigerents — Are to cool and diminish the force of 
circulation, and reduce the heat of the body without 
diminution of vital energy. Lemon juice, diluted with 
water, with or without being sweetened (lemonade), in 
the hot stages of fever is very good; and a tea made by 
infusing the bee balm may be used profitably, and also 
spearmint; but when a horse has been overheated, by 
being driven too hard, give him something to increase 
the inward heat, and rub him with a brush until he is 
quite dry. 

Demulcents — Are used to prevent acrid matter from 
acting on the sensible parts. Flax seed, by infusion, 
yields a large quantity of mucilage, and is in common 



243 

use given internally, or in the form of poultices for sores, 
&c; but for an outward application of this kind, the 
poultice made of charcoal and yeast is to be preferred. 
The marsh mallow, liquorice root, or ball, arrow-root, or 
herb, also yield mucilage, and are good in cases of ca- 
tarrh or purging, and in fevers, &c; prepared by infu- 
sion. 

Lithontriptics — Are supposed to have the power of 
dissolving urinary calculi (gravel or stone in the bladder 
or intestines); for this you may slice the* common red 
beet into old cider, and after letting it stand a week, 
give a pint twice a day. This will dissolve a stone that 
has been taken out, and has been given with the best of 
results; as much of its active matter must necessarily be 
absorbed by giving it, before it reaches the bladder, why 
not inject it through a hollow bougie into the bladder 
occasionally, that it might prove more successful. But 
if I had a horse in this dreadful situation, I would first 
obtain a bottle of Tilden & Co.'s (N. Y.) Fluid Extract 
of Hydrangia (Arborescens), and divide into six doses, 
and give two or three a day, and wait the result. I know- 
it has done wonders for the human in this respect, and I 
know of no good reason why it would not for the horse 
under like circumstances. Some might despair of ever 
trying to relieve the horse in this critical situation, but 
they should know that this calculi is oftener found in the 
intestines of the horse than anywhere else. 

Preventive of Calculi. — The greatest we can use for 
this difficulty is to keep the digestive organs in a healthy 
state; for these calculi are found to contain phosphate of 
lime and other substances which are contained in their 



244 avery's own farrier. 

food, and which, when properly digested, go to the sup- 
port and growth of bone, but when not thoroughly 
digested go into the urinary organs, and there form gravel 
and stone. Hence we see the evil consequences arising 
from too strong or oft repeated diuretics, which excite 
those organs so as to secrete an undue amount of the 
fluids that would otherwise go to help form the blood 
and bone of the animal. 

Erhines — Are substances which occasion a discharge at 
the nostrils. Any substance in fine powder blown up the 
nostril has this effect, and it is more or less in proportion 
to the stimulating nature of the substance used; they are 
sometimes used in colds and inflammation of the eye, &c. 
Snuff, cayenne and hartshorn are used for this purpose. 
Alum, burnt or dried, is used sometimes to destroy fun- 
gus (proud-flesh), and, when mixed with honey, it may 
be employed in taking off specks, or film from the eye, to 
advantage. Onions, halved and scraped under the nostril, 
are excellent to loosen, and create a discharge at the 
nose, in colds, catarrh, &c. 

Tonics — Are understood to strengthen and invigorate 
the system. 

Astringents — Are such substances as when applied to 
the animal body produce contraction and condensation in 
the soft parts, and thereby increase density and cohesion; 
that is, they pucker the parts to which they are applied. 
A decoction of the oak bark, and alum, hemlock, &o, 
are powerful astringents; catechu is also used for this 
purpose. But perhaps the most powerful one known to 
be used (as an outward application), is the tonic acid, 
which is to be first cut with alcohol, when it is fit for 



avery's own farrier. 245 

use. This acid is obtained from several kinds of barks 
and vegetables. 

Relaxing, is to reverse the order of astringents ; that 
is, to loosen, stretch, or to become flabby. Tansy (Tan- 
acetum vulgare), an infusion of this made and given 
in large doses, will relieve the animal of ague or lung 
fever, if given while the chill is on; boneset is also good 
for a like purpose. Skunk cabbage (fsetida), and 
the wild turnip are expectorants, and anti-spasmodic; the 
seeds and roots are excellent in coughs and colic. But, 
as a powerful laxative, the tobacco stands high on the 
list, given inwardly or for an outward application, in 
the vegetable kingdom. 

Spirits of Turpentine, applied externally, is a stimu- 
lant and irritant. 

Egg Shells, scorched brown in an oven, then pulver- 
ized fine and worked into a ball with honey, and given 
to the horse, are good to restore or assist digestion, when 
these organs have been impaired by fever or other dis- 
ease. When the horse has been nauseated, is faint and 
drooping from any cause, add to the above ball equal 
parts of camphor gum and hartshorn and give him, and 
he will revive with wonderful rapidity. The shells are 
to the horse what gravel is to the fowl; they assist di- 
gestion. 

Goose oil and brandy, about equal parts, makes a 
good application for spavins, ringbones, callouses, &c. 

Dog's oil is a very good application to limber up old 
stiff joints, and to heal bad wounds in the flesh. 

The whites of four or five hen's eggs, beat up in a 



246 avery's own farrier. 

gill of good brand)', and applied to weak knees will 
prove beneficial to them. 

"When you wish to scatter a swelling or tumor, take 
the yolks of hen's eggs, with an equal part of honey, 
beat them well together, thicken with wheat flour so as 
to form a thick paste, and bind it on the swollen parts. 

JL drench to increase the appetite and purify the sys- 
tem. — Take mustard, wild cherry bark and horse-radish, 
equal parts, with half the quantity of one of burdock 
root (Lappi), the whole to be soaked several days in old 
cider; then strain and give a pint of the cider at a time, 
every other day for a week, or as the case may require. 

A good Liniment. — Take one pint of spirits of wine 
(or alcohol), add one ounce each of gum myrrh and gum 
camphor, and one ounce of the oil origanum, and to the 
above add half an ounce of sal ammoniac (which must 
first be pulverized and dissolved in water, as it is soluble 
only in water). This makes a very strengthening lini- 
ment, and a valuable one to keep in the stable. 

Hot Drops. — Take one gallon of good brandy (or high 
wines), one pound of gum myrrh, well pulverized, two 
ounces of cayenne pepper, and an ounce of camphor gum. 
Put the whole in a stone jug, boil five minutes, by 
placing the jug, unstopped, in a kettle of boiling water, 
or let it stand five or six days in the jug without boiling, 
only shake it well every day, when it will be fit for use. 
This, given internally, is good for colds, or inflammation 
of any kind, as it prevents mortification taking place. 
Applied externally, is good for tetanus, sores and wounds 
of all kinds, and is an excellent remedy for swelled legs, 



247 

or paralysis, &c. Dose, from half to one gill at a time, 
in one pint of water. 

Composition Powders for Colds, 8fc. — Take two pounds 
of bayberry root bark, one pound of ginger root, two 
ounces each of cayenne and cloves, all to be pounded 
fine and sifted. Give for a dose, two tablespoonsfull of 
this powder, in a pint of water, after letting it steep a 
few minutes, sweeten with sugar or molasses, as you like, 
give it every two hours. This will be effectual in rais- 
ing the inward heat, and thus drive out the cold. 

Physic Ball for Horses. — Take cape, or Barbadoes 
aloes, from six to ten drachms, castile soap, one drachm, 
spirits of wine, one drachm, syrup of any kind to form 
a ball. This is a reliable ball for the above purpose; as 
also one quart of the decoction of the butternut bark 
(juglandis). Previous to physicing a horse, and during 
its operation, he should be fed on bran mashes, allowed 
chilled water, and have plenty of exercise; physic is use- 
ful and necessary in most diseases — it improves diges- 
tion and gives strength to the lacteals by cleansing the 
intestines and unloading the liver, and when properly fed 
afterwards, will improve the horse in a remarkable de- 
gree. Physic, except in urgent cases, should be given 
in the morning and upon an empty stomach, and if re- 
quired to be repeated, a week should intervene between 
each dose. 

Alterative, or Condition Powder. — Alteratives are 
medicines that are supposed to have a slow but beneficial 
effect in altering some diseased actions of the vessels of 
the skin, or the organs of circulation, or digestion; good 



248 

to be given in mange, surfeit, &c. Rosin, nitre, and flour 
of sulphur, each two ounces; levigated antimony, one 
ounce. This will be sufficient for twenty doses; give one 
every morning, or morning and evening as the case may 
require. 

Cordial, or Invigorating Ball. — Powdered camphor, 
one drachm, powdered ginger, two drachms, allspice 
powdered, three drachms, caraway seed, powdered, four 
drachms; make into balls with syrup, or give as a drench 
in gruel. 

Fever Ball.— Cape aloes, two ounces, nitre four 
ounces, molasses to form a mass; divide into twelve 
balls, and give one morning and evening, or give it in 
bee balm, or spearmint tea as a drench, until the bowels 
are relaxed. 

Fever Powder. — Nitre, camphor and ginger, each one 
drachm, powdered and mixed — to be used after the 
bow 7 els have been opened. 

Astringent Drench. — Tincture of opium half an 
ounce, ginger one drachm, wheat flour one ounce; give 
in a pint or more of tea made by steeping the bark of 
the mountain ash (Alkanoke), repeat if necessary. 

Temporary Lifting. — When you wish your horse to 
prick up his ears, and carry a good tail, and show off to 
good advantage for a brief period, take a piece of gin- 
ger root, about half an inch in length, scraped or split 
off, wet with spittle, and tuck it up the anus, a finger's 
length or so, just before you start off; used occasionally 
is rather beneficial than otherwise — keep shady, of 
course. 

Anodyne Ball.— Has the effect to mitigate pain; 



avery's own farrier. 249 

opium, ginger, one drachm each, and camphor gum two 
drachms, pulverised and worked into a ball with syrup, 
makes a useful ball for this purpose, and for purging or 
looseness of the bowels. 

Opodeldoc. — Take of the best hard soap two ounces, 
camphor one ounce, strong spirits one pint; mix the soap 
with the spirits, and let them stand in a moderate heat, 
until the soap is dissolved, occasionally shaking it; then 
add the camphor, and continue shaking until the whole 
is dissolved; useful in saddle and girth galls, sprains, 
bruises, and to disperse swellings, &c. 

Liquid Opodeldoc. — Take four ounces of spirits of 
camphor, one ounce of laudanum, one ounce of aqua 
ammonia, mix all together and keep closely corked; this 
is equal to the first for any or all of the above purposes. 

Sumach. — As a temporary relief for heaves, irritated 
larynx, or trachea, the blossoms or boles of the sumach, 
or shoernake, picked fine or powdered, and fed to the 
horse in his grain, are useful sometimes, owing to its 
soothing and souring qualities. 

Oil of Spike. — Should you have occasion to use this 
article, which is in high repute by some, it is made thus: 
by mixing about equal parts of spirits of turpentine and 
common tar together, and well shaking, though it is said 
to be made from a certain berry, which it seldom if ever 
sees (spikenard and bay berry). 

Hoof Liniment. — For a common cl eap liniment, for 
hard hoofs, take equal parts of spirits of turpentine and 
hogs lard, and mix them; for sores or swellings, add 
camphor gum and hartshorn, if you like. 

Another Astringent Drench — cheap and reliable; take 



250 avery's own farrier. 

one gill of wheat flour, tie it up in a linen rag, boil it in 
water two hours, when it will become quite hard; then 
scald two quarts of skimmed milk, and grate the flour off 
into the milk, stir, and when sufficiently cool, will be fit 
for use. 

MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS (GOUT). 

The former of these are a scurvy eruption, breaking 
out of the back part of the fore leg, at the bend of the 
knee. The latter is the same, only confined by the hock 
of the hind leg. Gross habit, feeding, want of exercise, 
and cleanliness, is the cause of this difficulty. 

Cure. — Give a little rosin and burdock root, powdered, 
daily in their food; keep them clean, with sufficient ex- 
ercise, and merely rub the parts affected with hot drops, 
two or three days in succession, is all that will be neces- 
sary to effect a cure. The same treatment is also bene- 
ficial in grease heels or swelled legs. 

Mange Ointment. — Powdered aloes two drachms, sul- 
phur four ounces, lard or oil six ounces; mix these well, 
and rub it on with the hand or brush well into the hair, 
on the parts affected. 

Lotion for Strains and Tumors. — Nitre and muriate 
of ammonia each one ounce; dissolve in a quart of hot 
water, and add two quarts of vinegar. Bathe the parts 
affected frequently. 

Embrocation for Strains, fyc. — Olive oil six ounces, 
aqua ammonia two ounces, spirits of turpentine one 
ounce, origanum oil two drachms; shake the bottle well 
before using, rub the parts twice a day until it becomes 
hot and tender, and observe rest. 



avery's own farrier. 251 

firing and blistering. 

Firing consists in the application of a red hot iron to 
the skin, but should never be used so as to reach through 
the skin. The violent inflammation thus occasioned, 
rouses the absorbents into action, to that extent, that 
callous and bony swellings may sometimes be removed 
by it. Before the iron is used, the hair should be shaved 
from the part intended to be fired. And after the opera- 
tion is over, the part fired should be rubbed with some 
blistering ointment, and the horse should be properly 
secured to prevent his biting it. After four days, apply 
a little oil, and when the incrustation formed by the 
blister is sufficiently softened to be removed, wash all off 
with soap and warm water, and if necessary the blister 
may be repeated after ten days. 

Firing, used as formerly, was resorted to for the pur- 
pose of curing spavins, curbs, ringbones, windgalls, and 
old callous swellings of the back sinews — the consequence 
of strains. It was also employed to strengthen the 
hocks and back sinews of colts, to prevent strains and 
breaking down; it was thought that it did this, by thick- 
ening and contracting the skin, so as to act as a per- 
manent bandage. This may be all true, and have been 
of considerable use to some in former days, and may 
possibly be of use to some at the present day. But if 
the astringents as given heretofore in this work, should 
answer every purpose of the hot iron (or firing), there 
will be no need of subjecting the animal to this torture 
and cruelty. For it is certainly attended with less 



252 

trouble and risk, both to the horse, as well as the 
operator. 

Blister Ointment. — Hog's lard four ounces, oil (spirits) 
of turpentine and Spanish flies, pulverised, each one 
ounce. This blister is sufficiently strong for most pur- 
poses of the horse. 

A Mercurial Blister. — For splints, spavins, ringbones, 
&c, add to the above blister ointment, one drachm of 
corrosive sublimate, finely powdered. 

Strong Liquid Blister. — Spanish flies, in gross pow- 
der, one ounce, oil of origanum two drachms, oil of tur- 
pentine four ounces, olive oil two ounces; steep the flies 
in the turpentine two weeks, strain off, and then add the 
oils. 

Mild Liquid or Sweating Blister. — Take one ounce of 
the above named (strong), and add one and a half ounces 
of goose or olive oil. 

, Laxative Clyster. — Thin gruel or broth, five quarts, 
salts six ounces. 

Clyster for Gripes. — Mash two common sized onions, 
pour over them two ounces of oil of turpentine and a 
teaspoonfull of cayenne; mix the whole with four quarts 
of warm water, sweetened with molasses. 

Nutritious Clyster. — Thick gruel, made of oat meal, 
three quarts, add one quart of good ale or milk. 

The Dead Shot* — In giving balls, see that they are 
not too hard, nor too large, for fear they might prove 
fatal, like the cannon ball; and for the same reason, it is 
well enough to know what ingredients they are made of. 

Hoof Liquid. — Mix half a pint of spirits of turpen- 



253 

tine and tar together, then add one pint of lamp or 
whale oil, stirring the whole well before using; this 
softens and toughens the hoof wonderfully by brushing 
them over with it night and morning. And when you 
can add to the above one pint of chamber lye that has 
stood in some warm place, in an open vessel some four 
weeks, or until it becomes oily and ropy, it makes the 
very best application for contracted hoofs, &c. 

Elder. — The leaf of the sweet elder (as it is called), 
boiled in lard, makes a very soothing emollient applica- 
tion to wounds and sores. The juice of the leaves, or 
bark, of the poison or Dutch elder, is highly useful in 
destroying fly blows or maggots in any kind of wounds, 
&c. Its salutary effect will soon be evident on turning 
it on them, and in preparing the wound to heal. 

Lard is the basis of all ointments. 

Rosin is often used to give consistence to plasters, 
where the degree of irritation w T hich it might produce is 
not regarded, or would be beneficial. The only use of 
wax, is to give consistence to ointments and plasters. 

A Mash, — There are three objects in view, in giving 
mashes, viz: firstly, to cool the system; secondly, to 
assist in opening the bowels; and thirdly, for the pur- 
pose of concealing medicines which may be necessary to 
give the horse. 

Mash No. 1. — Take one gallon of bran, one quart of 
sassafras tea scalding hot, one tablespoonfull flour of sul- 
phur, saltpetre one teaspoonfull. 

Mash No. 2. — Take one gallon of oats, one table- 
spoonfull of sulphur, and the same of burdock root 

22 



254 

(Lappi) dried and powdered, and boiling water to scald 
the mass. 

Mash No. 3.— An excellent mash in cases of catarrh 
and sore throat, and as an emollient, in any intestinal 
affection, is made by adding bran to an infusion of lin- 
seed. And you may add to any of the above ginger, 
burdock or cayenne, for colds, or any thing else to suit 
the disease you are contending with. 

Jldhesive or Sticking Plaster. — Take five parts of 
common pitch (or diachylon salve), and one part of Bur- 
gundy pitch, melt them together and stir until well mixed, 
and the plaster is made. Or you may take two parts 
(half pound) of common plaster, and one part (one- 
fourth of a pound) of Burgundy pitch; melt as before. 
Used sometimes in room of the surgeon's needle to ad- 
vantage by shaving off the hair; in dressing fresh 
wounds, apply them in narrow strips, and so as to bring 
the margins of the wound together. 

BALLS AND DRINKS. 

Mode of giving a Ball. — Back the horse into his stall, 
and being yourself elevated on a box or stool, gently 
draw the tongue out of the mouth, so as to prevent its 
rising to hinder the passage of the hand. The tongue 
should not only be laid hold of, but should be firmly held 
by the left hand against the jaw. The ball, being 
previously oiled, should be taken in the right hand, and 
squeezed into as narrow a compass as practicable, and 
passed up close to the roof of the mouth, and the ball 
placed on the roots of the tongue, when both hands 



255 

should be suddenly withdrawn, and it will readily pass 
down the throat. This method is preferable (with an 
expert hand) to using the balling iron. 

Mode of giving Drinks. — Precisely the same opera- 
tion is practised as in giving the ball, except that a tin 
or gutta percha horn, holding the drink, is forced up 
the mouth between the teeth, the mouth being raised 
above a level line of the passage, the drink being poured 
out of the smaller end of the horn well back to the roots 
of the tongue, and when the tongue is loosened the drench 
is swallowed without further trouble. 

ROWELS 

Are sometimes useful in keeping up a drain, to draw 
humors from parts; or by the irritation they cause, on 
one part, they lessen the inflammation on another part, 
not very remote. The same as unloading the bowels by 
physic, it helps relieve the surrounding organs, &c. 
Any person can apply a rowel by making an incision in 
the loose skin, any desirable length, say from one to four 
inches, according to the situation and object aimed at. 
Make the incision either up and down, or in a transverse 
direction, for this will facilitate the matter discharged; 
after pinching the loose skin and running the knife 
through, making the incision large enough to admit the 
rowel, or whatever you may choose to use for this pur- 
pose. A tarred rope may be used, or any kind of a 
string with pieces of scoke weed root fastened to it; or 
a round piece of leather with a hole in the middle, and 
smeared over with the blistering ointment. Each end 



256 avery's own farrier. 

of the rowel should be knotted or tied together, to pre- 
vent the horse from pulling it out with his teeth, or by 
rubbing. Let it remain three days, or until suppuration 
has commenced; the rowel is then to be removed and 
cleaned every day, until the desired object is effected. 
Used for sweeny, and other disorders; I have known 
them remain in use for months. 



avery's own farrier. 259 



RIDING AND DRIVING. 

The art of ruling on horseback (or equestrianism) is 
so closely connected with breaking and educating the 
horse (in fact it nay be considered part of the same), 
that it will not be necessary for me to say a great deal 
on this point. However, it is one of the nicest accom- 
plishments ever attained by gentleman or lady, and when 
once arrived at in any degree of perfection, the horse as 
well as its rider, never appears to better advantage, than 
when occupying this position. 

The old method of whip and spur, did very well for 
the troopers, and required considerable ingenuity and 
skill, but the horse never appears so graceful when 
forced to do anything, as when learned to obey you by 
the slightest, unseen motion of hand, rein or whip; still 
he does this partly through fear, for he is a cowardly 
creature, though we find in his instinct a nobler princi- 
ple blended with it, when developed by kind treatment — 
love. And besides this, the spur is useless to the lady 
equestrian; for her use, the horse should first be tutored 
by a man well skilled in this art, and then she has only 
to learn the horse alphabet, and mount her charger, with 
a feeling of pride (destitute of fear), to be able to cut all 
the airs and evolutions of a riding master. 

The spur may be of use in breaking a horse that is 
restive, and may answer the purpose of ornament to some 
afterwards, without harm; but I hope never to see again 



260 avery's own farrier. 

the horse's sides, by an inebriate rider, in a gore of 
blood. 

A horse is easily alarmed, for he will even start from 
the hand that is going to caress him; therefore he should 
not be forced to that which he dislikes. But when a 
horse curvets irregularly, twisting his body to and fro, 
turn his head either to the right or left, or both alter- 
nately, but without letting him move out of his tracks, 
if possible to prevent him; for if he once gains his end, 
he will be likely to repeat that which has foiled his 
rider. Therefore when a horse shies or is frightened at 
any object, he should be used to some tone of voice which 
he may understand as an expression of dislike of what 
he is doing, for all horses will show at times a spirit of 
of opposition, and especially if not properly subdued 
while being broke in; so when a horse shys, turn his 
head from the object that scares him (this is also appli- 
cable in driving) and press your leg to the opposite 
side from which he is expected to jump; then he will not 
spring on his hind legs to that side, because your h^ 
prevents him from so doing; nor will he attempt to 
spring the other way, because his head is turned from 
the object of his fright; and a horse does not start and 
spring the way he looks. 

The bridle is not the only power to govern the horse's 
movements; for instance, if the left spur touch him, and 
he is at the same time prevented from going forward, he 
has a sign given him that he will soon understand, to 
move sideways to the right. In the same manner he 
moves to the left, if the right spur is close to him; and 
afterwards, from fear of the spur, he will obey the touch 



avery's own farrier. 261 

of the leg — the same as a horse moves his croup in the 
stall from one side to the other, when touched with the 
whip, or by the motion of the hand. 

Every horseman knows very well that his horse never 
disobeys the motion of the leg, after being made ac- 
quainted with its use and meaning. By this means you 
have great power in controling or governing the move- 
ments of your horse, for when you close one leg to him, 
he will move sideways, and when you close both legs to 
him, he moves forward. And even when he stands still, 
your legs held close to him keep him ever on the qui 
vive; when, with the least motion of the rein he will 
prick up his ears and raise his head, so as to show to the 
best advantage possible. All the airs (as riding masters 
call them) once depended on the use of the legs, in the 
guidance of the horse's croup, by which troopers were 
taught to close or open their ranks. But as the horse is, 
or ought to be educated in these days, for pleasure, sport- 
ing or war, there are other things brought into requisi- 
tion which enable his rider to pursue the chase within 
his length of any marked spot, at the top of his speed, 
and at a given signal stop so suddenly and balance him 
on his haunches, as to prevent going over the precipice, 
and being hurled into the abyss below. Though when 
a horse starts, and is flying to one side, if you close the 
leg on that side of him, it will stop his spring immedi- 
ately, and he will go past the object he started at, keeping 
straight on, or as you choose to guide him, and he will 
not fly back at anything, if you press him with both legs. 
The rein is a necessary for the accompanient for the 
leg, hand and whip, in riding; by which means you can 



262 avery's own farrier. 

break the trot or gallop, if desirable, which sometimes 
is of great use, for no horse can trot a mile as quick, 
without breaking once or twice, as the trot is the most 
straining gait to the muscles, and he will more than 
make up what he loses in so doing, before he goes the 
mile. It also guides the horse in the gallopade, or race, 
when it should be drawn taut for this purpose, and to 
support him in case he should happen from any cause to 
stumble, as well as for the safety of the rider. In learn- 
ing the horse to pace, the rein is indispensable. This 
will also apply with equal force in the act of leaping 
hurdles, or hedges. It should be used with the greatest 
care, in attempting to swim your horse across rivers or 
lakes, for if he should get his legs entangled in any of 
his trappings, he would draw his head under the water 
and be sure to drown himself, if he did not his rider. 
Unless it is with some experienced hand, the curb and 
snaffle check, had better be dispensed with altogether. 
Sit straight up, and in the centre of the saddle, having 
your stirrups neither too long nor too short, and keep 
your elbows close to the body; carry a tight rein in one 
hand, and a whip in the other, if you choose. 

With the following remarks, which may possibly be 
of some use to the inexperienced, I shall dismiss the 
subject. Riding is an invigorating and healthy exercise, 
and is fast taking the place of the ancient gymnastics. 
It helps keep up the equilibrium of the body. It is a 
harmless amusement that hoth sexes may enjoy with the 
highest degree of refinement. 

The youth though healthy and strongly constituted, 



avery's own farrier. 265 

are not generally inclined to great mental exertion, till 
their bodies are to a certain degree fatigued (I do not 
say exhausted), until this fatigue is produced in someway, 
their bodies have a preponderance over the mind; this 
truly natural want can not be silenced without it. "Each 
muscle requires exertion, and the whole machine strives 
to employ its powers. This is vulgarly called, to have 
no sit still flesh." If the fatigue is brought on, the call 
for bodily exertion is stilled, the mind is no longer 
disturbed by it, and its labors are facilitated. 

Riding is also a peaceful and innocent exercise, which 
gives acuteness to the senses, and penetration to the 
mind. And when more of our village belles, have 
learned to imitate our modern Lady Equestrians, I shall 
be most happy to see them. So good bye. 

(See directions for training, &c.) 



23 



266 avery's own farrier. 

DRIVING. 

This is a very important branch of industry, where- 
ever the horse may be employed, and perhaps as little 
heeded as any other in so common use, by a majority of 
drivers. A good reinsman keeps his reins drawn closely 
especially in all gaits faster than a walk. Here the 
order is reversed somewhat from that of riding in this 
respect — the rein has the chief, and I might say the only 
power of guiding the team on the road; though they 
might come to a halt without a little tingle. 

A first class reinsman keeps an eye to the road before 
him, so as to shun all holes and stones that may happen 
to be near his track; this saves a great deal of wear and 
tear, both to his horses and carriage, and enables him* to 
glide along by any team he happens to meet on the road, 
gracefully, without any seeming or visible effort of his 
own. He will also have his horses trained in such a 
manner that they will feel the slightest motion imaginable 
of the bit, made by the taut rein, so that they will not 
turn up to every house, or stop to talk to every person 
they meet on the road, or even at his own barn, until they 
have a sign given them from their master's rein or voice 
to do so. 

The tight rein is a support to the horse in going over 
uneven ground, or down a hill, and is a sign to him when 
drawn on a plane, that he may expect something else 
unless he obeys this. In fact a good reinsman will drive 
considerably faster, safer, and with less straining to cords, 
muscles, wheels and gearing, than an awkward, unskilled 
driver. 



267 

There is another important point in the art of driving, 
that is (generally) but little heeded, that is, in driving a 
horse that is liable to interfere, and in fact this difficulty 
oftener arises from careless driving, than any fault of the 
horse. You will notice that they seldom cut but one leg, 
and where two are driven together, or side by side, it is 
almost invariably the freest or fastest horse that does 
this; because his head is pulled in from a straight line 
that he is traveling on, consequently it will be the out- 
side leg that gets cut; to avoid which his head should 
be turned by a tight rein a little the other way from the 
straight line, which will throw the foot he cuts with out 
instead of in. 

A great many horses, that are used for draft, in the 
snowy regions, are quite apt in crowding each other off 
from the road through fear, when the rein does not have 
much influence over them — which could be remedied by 
making the sleighs for those districts some six or eight 
inches wider than they are now used, an improvement 
that is much needed — especially where they have five 
or six months' sleighing in each year. This would make 
a road sufficiently wide for them to travel on without 
being in fear of falling off into the deep snow. 

Now let us take a glimpse at the second or third class 
of drivers, and mark the contrast. He mopes along 
with his horse's heads down about to their knees, and his 
lines on a level with the same, going over every stone, 
hole or log that may be in his way, with no other means 
of quickening their pace except the use of the whip, 
which will be applied freely; and when his team hap- 
pens to have life enough to become frightened at any- 



268 

thing, they start, and, before he is able to gather the 
lines sufficiently to stop them, his load is landed perhaps 
bottom upwards in the ditch. Well, he crawls up on 
the road again and loads up, goes along a short distance, 
and meets another team, when he has another dilemma 
to pass through. However he braces himself up in the 
fore end of his carriage and immediately succeeds in 
hauling up his lines sufficiently to turn his horses' heads 
to one side of the path he is pursuing; and then with both 
hands forward of the splash board, continually shaking 
the lines, and halloing " hep, hep, hep," he comes into 
the road again (in case they do not lock wheels) and 
then, with a free use of the whip, on he goes until he 
comes along near a house or another object where his 
horse wants to stop again, when he has only to repeat 
the last operation, viz: the shake, hep and whip, to go 
on as happy as a clam. 

Men who drive fast, generally have fast horses; not 
so much because they have swift horses, but because fast 
driving makes swift horses. Therefore the best direc- 
tions I can give you to make horses swift, will be in the 
language of another, " drive fast, and stop often." 

A horse can generally be trained to a dull and logy, 
or to an airy and fleety gait. Any strong and muscu- 
lar horse, that is sound, and has been no ways previously 
injured, can be trained to a fast gait. Nature unquestion- 
ably does much; but education and training does far more 
towards producing the great difference in the speed of 
horses than most people are willing to admit. Horses 
are oftener injured by driving them beyond their habit- 
ual gait, than beyond their native power. 



269 

For example, if you want a fast walker, you must use 
him to that gait mostly, for a horse that is trotted most 
of the time while on the road, will walk very slowly 
whenever he stops the trot, and when he is trained to 
the walk, he is not capable of much fast trotting, previous 
to being trained for it, without injury to him. And so, 
if you want a fast trotter, you must use him to this gait, 
remembering the text, to drive fast, and stop often 
enough not to injure your horse's wind. And so with 
all other gaits, for there never was a two-forty horse 
(trotter) without previous training. 

The farmer who wishes to have his horse show off to 
good advantage at any particular village, or at the mar- 
ket (for instance), and has not given his horse the 
necessary exercise to give strength to his muscles, &c, 
although his horse may be fat and look finely, must drive 
slowly and cautiously within a short distance of the 
place, when he will not be doomed to disappointment; 
for driving him fast then a short distance will not injure 
him, and he will show well. But, on the other hand, 
let him drive so as to go in with his horse all sweat, 
and his spirits drooping, and he will appear in the worst 
possible plight he could fix him; and would need the 
best of care to prevent him from taking cold, and per- 
haps becoming diseased. 

The property and even the life of men, women and 
children, often depend on the art and skill of the reins- 
man, or in careful and correct driving. Thus it is, that 
owners of horses, should not entrust those noble animals 
to careless and reckless diivers. And all those who are 
entrusted or employed in this occupation, either for them- 



270 



AVERY S OWN FARRIER. 



selves or fellow men, should be sober, thinking men, and 
aware of the above fact, for their own benefit, as well as 
for the horse they drive. And then the horse would not 
often be under the necessity of calling out (if allowed to 
talk) as he is said to have done, by the expression found 
in the following lines: 

' ' Up the hill urge me not ; 

Down the hill trot me not; 

On the plain spare me not-, 

To the hostler trust me not," 



Name and Situation of the Parts of the Hoof of the Horse. 




[See page 30.] 



avery's own farrier. 271 



GENERAL REMARKS ON DISEASES, &c. 

I deem it a duty I owe the public, as well as myself, 
to offer some general views on this subject, before I con- 
clude this work, which I shall be under the necessity 
of doing in my own way, and my story is told; as I have 
proceeded thus far without dictionary or library, with 
the exception of a few old almanacs, papers, and recipes 
that I had carefully preserved and had in my possession, 
which I hope will answer for all apologies necessary for 
the more learned, for any and all the errors I have or 
may commit. 

The same principles existed in nature when the world 
began, that exist now, and the same that will exist for 
all time to come. When any new discovery is made by 
man, or anything new appears to us, it is only because 
the mind is more fully developed, or brought nearer the 
object, and capable of receiving the truth as it existed 
before. We must necessarily learn much from great 
men and great minds, that have lived before us; but we 
should not content ourselves with this alone, for then we 
should go back instead of progressing in usefulness. For 
they in their aspirations to grasp great things, overlooked 
(to them) many smaller ones, which are of the greatest 
importance to mankind, which experience teaches that 
we can pick up and improve on, only by the closest ob- 
servation of passing events, and all our wants. 

That a reformation is needed in a great many of our 
stables, both in country and town, in medicating, driving 
and caring for the horse, will be readily admitted by 



272 

those that have numbers of them drawn to the shades or 
shambles every year, if by none else. 

I am about to make some remarks about horses, and 
disease, that will be well for all to remember that fee) 
an interest in this important subject. 

T am not so much in favor of blood-letting, or physic- 
ing as a great many, but I consider the fleam and lancet 
much safer in the hands even of the inexperienced, than 
I do the stimulating drugs and oils commonly used by 
them, for this reason: the common sized horse contains 
from twenty to twenty-four quarts of blood on an ave- 
rage; of which four quarts may be taken without mate- 
rially injuring him at any time, and in cases of acute 
inflammation and fever, as of the lungs, &c, one-third of 
the whole has been taken to advantage; and it requires 
four-fifths of the whole to be taken to produce death. 
He is not so liable to suffer from depletion, in this way 
as he is from physicing, and the effects of these poisons 
(allowing they are carried to excess). For the blood is 
sooner supplied by nature, than the bowels, stomach and 
bones can be restored by art to their wonted office and 
health after being so deranged in all their parts. 

I prefer vegetable medicine to mineral, for most dis- 
eases — not that I would take the course of some, and 
call all mineral substances poison, for as deadly poisons 
are found in the vegetable kingdom as in any other. But 
because it is cheaper, as almost every person can gather 
all he needs for himself (without money and without 
price) and is generally given in teas, drinks and mashes; 
which are more cooling and soothing to nature, besides 
this, it is safer in most hands. 



avery's own farrier. 273 

Is it too much to say that more than one half of all 
the diseases of the horse arise in the first place from bad 
management, or from want of good management: from 
an improper system of feeding, over medicating, from 
ill-constructed, unventilated and filthy stabling, or from 
injudicious driving and neglect of cleaning, and from an 
untimely or improper use of the blanket? To learn my 
views of which you have only to turn and read that which 
I have written on this point. 

Every proprietor of a stable should be capable of 
managing all ordinary complaints, within his own stable; 
but as this is not always the case, the horse is often left 
to the mercy of some fellow who really knows nothing 
more about the structure and wants of him, than he does 
about the model of an engine, or the economy of an em- 
pire. And yet he trumps loudly and has a thousand and 
one infallible remedies for almost every disease, the 
names of which he does not know, neither their causes, 
origin, or operation on the system; and if he knows 
their names, he is entirely incapable of distinguishing 
one from another. He applies, hap-hazard, these hot 
drugs, totally ignorant of their effect on the system 
generally, or on the particular disease, and nine times 
out often he may apply them wrong; and so aggravate 
ten fold, the disease which he pretends to be able to 
cure. 

To remedy the above evil, I would recommend that 
every such person should be obliged to swallow one- 
fourth the quantity of the same kind of medicine that he 
is going to give the horse, whether it injured the horse 
or not. When you find one that is willing to stand this 



274 

test (or can explain satisfactorily the nature of the dis- 
ease, or the effect of the medicine he recommends), you 
need not be afraid to employ him to doctor your horse. 
If this fiery ordeal is thought too severe a test, I would 
say that most diseases of the horse are analagous to ours 
and require about the same mode of treatment. 

Notwithstanding the horse is often taken suddenly and 
dangerously ill, when the ingenuity and skill, even of 
the most experienced may sometimes be taxed to tell the 
precise difficulty immediately (and it yet is necessary that 
something should be done on the spot, to relieve his suf- 
fering, and expedite a cure, before medical aid could be 
procured), there are those palliating medicines, innocent 
in themselves, and often useful, that may be administered 
in the meantime (of which I have recommended), and 
nine times out of ten, are all that are necessary to be 
given to effect a speedy and permanent cure, whereby, 
if relief had not been found in this way, the malady 
might have gained such headway, that when advice 
arrived, it would be too late to check it. Although at 
these times we should be cautious in giving physic as 
well as when poisons have been taken, for in cases of 
acute inflammation of the bowels, &c, it might prove 
fatal. He that remembereth these things doeth well, for 
how much wiser is a man to-day for what he has for- 
gotten? 

FEEDING AND MEDICATING. 

The researches of physiologists and botanists, have 
demonstrated this fact, that the fibrin, the albumen, the 
oil, and all those earthy salts that go to form bone and 
muscles in animals, are found in their food, in plants and 



275 

vegetables, and in their seeds and grain, and that the 
animal appropriates them ready formed, which goes to 
show that the stomach of the horse is not a chemical 
laboratory for the manufacture of these constituents, but 
that they are selected from the food he eats, by the 
stomach, and deposited where they are required. 

It is said also, that from every five to seven years, the 
whole body of the horse in all its parts undergoes a 
change, is thrown off, and again renewed. Then each 
day, a portion of the animal is passing away (in excre- 
ment, in perspiration and respiration), and in each day 
nature endeavors to repair the loss, for there must be a 
constant building up and repairing of the body going on 
at all times, consequently it becomes absolutely neces- 
sary that the proper building material be furnished, or 
the whole structure becomes weak and worthless. This 
also teaches us that such food is necessary for the horse 
as will supply the component parts of the body, in right 
proportion for the healthy action of the whole. 

Long experience has taught us that oats is the best 
kind of grain (dry food) we have for constant feed for 
the horse, though it does not contain as much nutritive 
matter per bushel, as some other kinds of grain that are 
given in a more concentrated form, all which is more or 
less prejudicial to health. The above, with some re- 
marks I am about to make, will, I think, prove my posi- 
tion correct as to feeding, and the propriety of an occa- 
sional change of feed, &c, heretofore given. 

When the heavier and hot kinds of grain are used, it 
is best to have it ground and mixed with good cut hay 
or straw, so that you feed the same amount of nutritive 



276 

matter, with the same bulk (as near as you can), as you 
did when feeding oats and hay. Nature plainly shows 
this to be a correct principle, and also the importance of 
a change of diet occasionally, in the seasons, in the 
fruits, and in the green food she yields for our suste- 
nance. Extract the nutritive properties from the food 
we eat, and take our food in that form, will it long sus- 
tain life? Certainly not. — Liebig. The bony frame 
work of animals, owes its solidity to phosphate of lime, 
says Johnson, and this substance must be furnished by 
the food. The ordinary kinds of food contain a large 
quantity of vegetable fibre or woody matter, which is 
more or less indigestible, but which is indispensable to 
the welfare of herbaceous animals, as their digestive 
organs are adapted to rough and bulky food. The addi- 
tion of a small quantity of food, rich in oil and albumi- 
nous substances, may be made advantageously, but 
neither hay alone, nor concentrated food alone, give the 
best result. This fact should be impressed on the mind 
of every farmer, and by every day practice. Every ani- 
mal of a higher organization than a worm (and they 
often crawl out of the earth and partake of the cucum- 
ber and cabbage plants), needs a diversity of food to 
make up a healthy animal structure. The similarity to 
other green food, together with the pectic acid that 
carrots contain, causing thorough digestion of other 
food, renders them a desirable article of food for the 
horse. 

The horse may be compared (with some propriety) to 
the steam engine or railroad locomotive, the lungs being 
the furnace, the stomach the boiler containing the water, 



277 

and the groom, the fireman that puts in fuel to keep the 
whole in motion. The food of the horse after being 
masticated, is taken into the stomach, and there digested; 
then it passes into the intestines, and the nutritious por- 
tions are mingled with the fluids or gastric juice, when 
it is sucked up by an infinite number of mouths, or lac- 
teals, which are connected with the blood vessels, from 
whence it is carried in the form of blood through the 
heart and distributed to every part of the system. While 
a portion of the gum, starch and sugar, contained in 
vegetables are used by the animal, in respiration or 
creating heat to the lungs, and other portions of the 
body. These substances consist of carbon and water 
only, the carbon combining with oxygen, is breathed out 
in the form of carbonic acid. To say no more about the 
niceties of his complicated structure, it is just as evident 
that the horse requires food that contains these proper- 
ties in right proportion for his constituent parts, as it is 
to suppose that the engine must be supplied with wood 
and water, in order to get up steam enough to propel its 
machinery (and one is about as complicated as the 
other); and when these properties are not found in suffi- 
cient quantities, or in right proportions, in the food of 
the animal, or in wood and w 7 ater for the engine, then 
the oil for lubricating the machinery is drawn upon for 
fuel, or the fat and flesh itself of the animal goes into 
the furnace, and the whole is soon burned out, when it 
ceases to exist. But when both are properly supplied 
with food and fuel, they may be seen puffing and snort- 
ing across the plain together, until the one challenges 
24 



278 avery's own farrier. 

the other in the distance to come on and bear him com- 
pany. 

An excess of hot food, as corn, &c, fails to excite the 
coats of the stomach to secrete their digestive fluids 
(heating the furnace too hot), while the other parts are 
left unsupplied, such as goes to help form bone, muscle 
and fibres of the animal, which must result, if persevered 
in, in the total destruction of the whole animal structure. 

Thus we see that when the inward heat is raised too 
high by the use of medicine, or by feeding any of the 
heavier kinds of grain, for the healthy action of the 
whole system, the proper remedies to be employed is to 
feed the more cooling and lighter grains, that I have 
heretofore mentioned,* which will supply the wants of 
each and every part of the body, in just proportion to 
benefit the whole. And it is precisely the same thing 
in medicating the horse; when the lungs (or furnace) is 
too hot, you should not fan the flame by adding more 
fuel, in the form of those stimulating drugs so often used; 
but when there is a want of vitality (or the fire is too 
low), use the articles I have recommended for this pur- 
pose, sufficiently to raise it to its natural heat, and then 

* The virgin soil will produce almost any kind of vegetation, under 
a proper state of cultivation ; but you continue to crop it with one 
kind only, it will soon exhaust all the qualities of the soil that are 
required to grow that particular crop; and in this way you may keep 
on with the different kinds until you impoverish the whole, and it 
becomes barren. So it may be with the horse; he may be fed on 
one kind of food, deficient in the requisites to form bone or muscle, 
while the other organs of the body lay dormant, for the want of the 
healthy and invigorating influence of them ; or, vice versa, when he 
will appear raw-boned, carrying but little flesh. 



279 

nature will keep it burning; and you will save the extra 
wear and tear of the machinery consequent on raising it 
too high. 



REMARKS 



ON THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF VEGETABLES, FOR 
MEDICINAL PURPOSES. 

It is proper to observe, that roots should be gathered 
before the sap rises in the spring, or after it returns in 
the autumn, and taken from the dryest land where they 
grow. In washing let them remain in water as short a 
time as possible, or dry them without washing, and clean 
them with a brush afterwards. Those which lose their 
virtue by drying, may be kept in dry sand. Leaves and 
flowers should be gathered in dry weather, after the dew 
is off, and while they are in full vigor; they may be tied 
up in little bundles and hung up to dry, but a better way 
is to dry them more quickly by the gentle heat of a stove, 
or fire place. Seeds and fruit are generally to be gath- 
ered when ripe; sprouts after the bud is open; stalks in 
autumn; and barks, in spring and autumn. Overgrown 
herbs, should not be chosen, as they are not so good for 
medicinal purposes as those of a medium growth. 



280 



RECIPES. 

Since I commenced writing, experience has taught me 
that the swamp, or black ash extract, is an excellent 
remedy for sores and pimples, or gathering in the ears, 
by only applying a few drops; and can be used success- 
fully in taking off ringbones, &c, (as well as removing 
warts) when diluted with a small part of turpentine, or 
tincture of cantharides: and when used alone has taken 
them off without breaking the skin, or leaving any 
blemish. I obtain it by boiling the inner bark of small 
trees or roots, until the strength is out, then strain and 
boil down to the consistence of thick syrup. For the 
ears dilute with water. 

ABORTION. 

The mare has often been lost by aborting. The best 
thing you can do for her in this situation, is to inject up 
the vagina a strong infusion made by steeping the 
common red raspberry leaves in water, using it as warm 
as practicable; keep her warm, and give her rest, together 
with a cooling diet. 

FOR ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS, OR INFLAMMATORY 
COLIC. 

You may give the horse a large spoonfull of equal 
parts of sulphuric ether and laudanum. Or if you do not 
really know what the difficulty is, half the quantity will 
do him no. harm; or you may give him mint or sage tea; 
and if he is in great distress, give peppermint essence, 



avery's own farrier. 281 

camphor and paregoric, a spoonfull of each in warm 
water, sweetened, which will either cure your horse, or 
ease him until you have time to send for advice. 

carrots. 
The orange carrot is cultivated in gardens, and is well 
known to every one. The root of which scraped and 
wilted with hot vinegar, is good made into a poultice, 
with or without Indian meal, to subdue inflammation and 
swelling; and when mixed with pulverised charcoal, is 
good to prevent mortification. 

CORKS. 

A very good paint to keep out dirt and cold from 
corks, is made by melting equal parts of mutton tallow, 
and India rubber together, and then paint or fill the 
wound with it; for the want of the rubber use tar, and 
when you wish it to heal, add a little rosin and honey. 



282 



WAH WHOOP. 

Some of our best professional men have said to me, 
that it was folly for any one to suppose that the Indian 
doctors knew half as much about the healing art as the 
scientific scholar, who had all the advantage of our medi- 
cal institutions, in this civilized life, with a full view 
of the arts and sciences before him. As regards anatomy 
and diseases, I am willing to admit that they are right 
in their conclusions; but as the Indian has had the book 
of nature only for his study, it has enabled him to dis- 
cover the medicinal properties of a great many plants, 
roots and barks, that are useful in disease (which the 
more learned have overlooked in their aspirations to 
grasp great things); which goes to show that the Indian 
is not void of intellect, and that want and " poverty is 
the mother of invention." Therefore, I shall add here 
the names and use of such vegetables as I have in my 
possession (together with some of my own), in plain 
English, as they were translated from the Indian tongue, 
by one that had spent some twenty years-of his life in 
travel and traffic among the Indian tribes, which may 
be of great use to some in veterinary practice, both in 
urban, suburban and rural districts. 

"Roots and herbs are at the command of every one, and 
nature's prescriptions are all free gratis. She demands not 
your money for her services, but, like a kind patron and friend, 



avery's own farrier. 283 

invites you to partake of her blessing, and her only reward is to 
come and taste more.". 

No. 1. — White Oak Bark and Buds. 
The inner bark of the white oak pounded and boiled 
with oats, and applied as a poultice to any wound, cut 
or sore, is a very good remedy. The leaves and buds, 
when steeped, are said to be a sovereign remedy for 
dysentery or a relaxed state of the bowels. A handfull 
of flour, made from the dried acorns, mixed with the feed 
of animals, will stop dysentery. 

No. 2. — Snake Root. 
Is found in both dry and moist wood land 3 the stalk 
and leaves somewhat resemble the stinging wood-nettle, 
only the leaf is smaller and more of an oval form. It 
blossoms on the top of the branches, and they are white; 
the root is brown and bushy, and of a very strong aro- 
matic taste and smell. This is a very powerful, stimu- 
lating root, bracing, healing and cleansing, cheering and 
animating the whole system. Makes an excellent cordial; 
put in wine or old cider. 

No. 3. — Indian Wormwood. 
It grows along watery places; it has several stalks to- 
gether, two or three feet high, with long, narrow, dark 
green leaves, which are extremely bitter to the taste; 
above the leaf it has blows. This herb is said to be both 
anthelmintic and cathartic; the pulverized herb, given in 
small quantities, is good to remove worms; the herb 
steeped is a very quick and powerful physic, though very 
mild in respect to griping; the top only is used. 



284 avery's own farrier. 

No. 4. — Pepper Root. 
This grows in a rich, moist soil, generally among 
beech, maple, and basswood timber, and is generally 
known, the top being sometimes used for greens; the 
root is white and jagged, of a warm, peppery taste. The 
root bruised and taken in spirits eases pains in the 
stomach, sides, and bowels. The pounded root applied 
to the spider cancer, will frequently kill them in a short 
time, so that they may be taken out by the roots. 

No. 5. — Larger Golden Thread, 
Is a vine growing on banks of rivers and intervales. 
It is similar to Jacob's ladder, and winds itself around the 
first bush it comes to, like the bitter sweet. The root 
runs under ground some distance, about the size of a pipe 
stem. It is quite bitter, and has nearly the virtues of 
the little golden thread, and is, of course good for canker 
in the mouth, and in all cases where a little bitter is re- 
quired to strengthen digestion, and cause a good appetite. 

No. 6.— Horsetail. 

This plant has a bushy top, full of joints, resembling 
a horse tail from which it took its name. It is powerful 
to stop or staunch blood, either inward or outward; it 
healeth inward ulcers; it is good to heal green wounds, 
and cures ruptures. 

No. 7. — Gravel Weed. 

Grows on dry land among wintergreens; the stalks or 
vines run along on the ground, and take new root; the 
leaf is oval, of a pale green, thick and rough, not hairy, 
as wide as a spoon bowl, but not so long, and bears a 



285 

small, white blossom; it grows in little mats, like cam- 
momile, with the leaves thick together, almost one top 
of the other. This, in truth, is a lithontriptic; the leaves 
and vines steeped (not boiled) bring away the sand, and 
finally dissolve the stone. 

No. 8. — Hemp. 
This plant is good for something beside making ropes. 
The seeds steeped, are good to remove wind from the 
stomach; it removes obstructions to the bile, and is very 
effective to kill worms in man or beast; the steeped juice 
dropped into the ears kills the worms in them, and drags 
out earwigs; a preparation of the roots is good to allay 
inflammation in the head, &c. 

No. 9. — Artichokes. 
A decoction of the juice of artichokes is good to open 
the passages of the urine; and of course it must be good 
for stone or gravel in the bladder. 

No. 10. — May Weed, 
Is an excellent herb, and grows in door yards, and by 
the sides of the road; it is of a pectoral nature, and is 
good for a pain in the side; a strong tea of it, drank 
freely, is good for a cold. 

No. 11. — Saffron. 
This is principally cultivated in gardens, and has a 
bright, yellow blow, and is universally known. It is 
good made into tea, to cleanse the fluids of the stomach, 
and guard against sickness, and for bathing any affected 
outward part. It is also good to drive out humors; with 



286 

other vegetables it makes an excellent drink for a dis- 
ordered stomach. 

No. 12.— Red Rose. 
This is the queen of all flowers, and, though short 
lived, falls not a useless sacrifice. The leaves dried and 
steeped in milk, are very cooling, quieting and good for 
sore eyes, and useful in allaying inflammation. 

No. 13. — Vervine. 
Has two colors, blue and white; is a good medicine in 
fevers, and for all consumptive complaints. It makes a 
harmless emetic, and may be taken powdered; mixed 
with thoroughwort, or made into a tea, is good for a 
weak stomach. 

No. 14. — Witch Hazel. 
This is a small bush or tree, it grows in swamps and 
wettish land, by the sides of creeks and rivers. A tea 
made of this, and drank freely, is good to stop bleeding 
at the stomach. It is good in all bowel complaints; the 
bark boiled in milk and water, is good for those afflicted 
with strain across the kidneys. 

No. 15. — Crowfoot or Buttercup. 
This is a tuber-rooted, perennial plant, very common 
in rich meadows and moist places; it grows from one to 
two feet high, and has a very glossy flower. Every 
part of this plant is acrid. Those who wish to endure 
the pain of a blister, may have their ends gratified by 
making use of this herb. 



287 

No. 16. — Summer Savory. 
Is a garden herb, and has a hot, pleasant flavor. 
When made into a tea, and drank freely, is good for a 
cold; is very soothing to nature, and may be used with 
perfect safety in any disease, of man or beast. 

No. 17. — Currants. 
This bush is too well known to need a description, 
being found in almost every garden. The leaves made 
into a tea, are good for the dropsy. As a constant drink, 
it promotes a free passage of the urine. 

No. 18. — Sweet Fern. 

Is a small shrub that grows common in pastures, and 
by the road side, in many places; the bark of this bush 
steeped in cider, is good for jaundice (or yellow water). 
Taken in the spring of the year, it will give a start to 
the blood, and create a good appetite. A tea made of 
it will often answer a good purpose for dysentery. 

No. 19. — Plantain. 

There are few, perhaps, who know the virtues of this 
simple though useful plant. It is good to cure poison, 
caused by ivy, dogwood, and the bites of venomous ani- 
mals, and will drive away humors by applying the juice. 

No. 20. — Strawberry Leaves. 
These need no description. The leaves steeped in 
boiling water, and drank freely of, are good for inward 
fevers; and a few of the leaves chewed, and the juice 
swallowed, will stop the dysentery. 



288 AVERY 'S OWN FARRIER. 

No. 21. — -High Deerweed. 
This is generally to be found in newly cleared lands, 
from two to three feet high, and has on its stalk, towards 
the top, a spindle of red blossoms; the leaves are long 
and quite narrow. This is good for all inward inflam- 
mation and fevers; it is of a cooling nature. 

No. 22. — Eyebright. 

The common eyebright is a small, low herb, usually 
rising about a span high. It has generally but one black- 
ish green stalk; it spreads from the bottom into several 
branches, on which are set small leaves, which are nearly 
round and pointed, of a dark green color, and finely 
notched about the edges; they are thick, and two always 
set together at the joints, the leaves turned upwards; 
from the middle spring forth small white flowers, mixed 
with purple or yellow spots or stripes. It has small seeds 
in round heads. It has small, slender roots, with thready 
ends, and may be found in meadows and grassy places. 
The juice, or distilled water of this herb, taken inwardly, 
in white wine, or put into the eyes, is good for all things 
causing dimness of sight; or it may be taken, in a powder 
of the dry herb, mixed with a little sugar, mace, or fen- 
nel seed; has a powerful effect to help and Bestore sight, 
decayed through age; it has been known to restore sight 
to those who have been nearly blind. 

No. 23. — Dog Acna. 
This bush grows in various soils, and is covered with 
a smooth, speckled bark, of a light and dark green. It 
branches out very much like the dogwood. The bark of 



avery's own farrier. 289 

this, made into a tea, and used as a wash, is good for a 
canker, and combined with the bittersweet, makes an 
excellent healing salve. 

No. 24. — Running Hemlock, 

Is a little, low bush, (he leaves resembling the com- 
mon or tall hemlock that grows wild in the woods, of a 
light green color, and has a small red berry. These ber- 
ries are good for a w T eak stomach; the bush or vine is 
good, boiled in water, to cure swollen limbs. 

" By the image of every herb, the ancients first found 
out their virtues. Modern writers laugh at them for it; 
but I can not (says one) but wonder how the virtues of 
herbs came at first to be found out, or known, if not by 
their signatures. The moderns had them from the an- 
cients; the ancients nor Indians had no writings nor 
books to obtain them from." But what an improvement 
has been, and remains to be made by the study of the 
leafy pages of this great book of " Nature," after it has 
been once opened to our view. Reader, please look at 
the index of this great work, which you will find in the 
expression of every leaf, and see if it does not lead you 
to something more useful and interesting. Oh, how 
cheering, animating, and elevating it is to the mind of 
mortals! 

No. 25. — For the Bite of a Dog, or Pricking of a Thorn. 
Take green leaves of hoarhound, bruise, and boil them 
in hog's lard into an ointment, and apply it to the wound. 
Continue this for a short time, and the swelling will 
abate, and the sore be completely healed. 
25 



290 

No. 26. — To take a Film from the Eye. 

Take sugar of lead, make it very fine, blow a little of 
it into the eye, morning and evening, by means of an. oat 
straw, and when the film is nearly consumed, apply a drop 
of hen's oil once or twice a day until well. 

No. 27. — For a Cough or Phthisic. 

Smoking the dried leaves of rosemary, shred small, in 

a tobacco pipe, will help those troubled with a cough or 

phthisic, or of a consumptive habit, by warming and 

drying the thin distillations which cause those diseases. 

No. 28.— For the Heart Disease. 

Make a decoction of the dried leaves of red roses with 
wine, and apply it to the region of the heart, with a 
sponge, or let the leaves remain in, and bind them on over 
where your heart beats, shifting them often till you find 
relief. 

No, 29.— For a Burn. 

Take an onion and cut it in halves, warm it a little 
(but not roast it), and bind it on the affected part; i{ 
will stop the soreness and the inflammation, by drawing 
out the humors, which always accompany a burn if not 
prevented. 

No. 30. — To Cure Vegetable Poison. 

Take yellow-blowed celandine, hawk weed and toad 
plantain, equal parts — bruise them fine, and boil them in 
milk sufficient to get the strength of the vegetables. 
Wash the affected part with this several times a day, 



291 

and drink bitters of the Indian milk weed (bitter root), 
steeped in gin, to keep it from striking to the stomach. 
This will physic the blood and cure the disorder. A 
simple and effective remedy. 

No. 31. — Strengthening Plasters. 
Good for man or beast. Take a pitch pine knot, boil 
it in water till the gum is out; then let it cool, and take 
off the pitch. Spread a plaster of this on soft leather, 
and apply it wherever it may be wanted. If it is too 
powerful, temper it with a little rosin or beeswax. 
Hemlock gum is good for a like purpose. 

No. 32. — For Dropsy. 
Take one pound each of prickly ash bark and bark of 
sassafras root, feverwood bush half a pound; four ounces 
of parsley roots, and the same of the bark of black 
birch, and of horse radish roots, and three ounces of 
garlics; boil them all in three gallons of small beer; 
drink nearly a gill three times a day, or a pint is a dose 
for a horse. It is a powerful diaphoretic, invigorating 
cordial; no better can be given for the above disease. 

No. 33. — For Weakness or General Debility of the 
Whole System. 

Take of lovage root, comfrey root, each half a pound, 
and burdock root four ounces, spikenard root two ounces, 
to about two gallons of water; boil them two hours; 
strain off and continue to boil down to two quarts, then 
add half a pint of the best Holland gin, and one pound 
of honey, or loaf sugar; put it in a bottle and cork 



292 avery's own farrier. 

it tight for eight and forty hours, when it will be fit for 
use. Dose, a tablespoonfull three times a day before eat- 
ing, or one gill will answer for a dose for the horse. 
This has proved beneficial after every other remedy was 
unavailing. 

No. 34. — For a Cough. 
Take a small handfull of hoarhound and of slippery 
elm bark (the brittle kind), and two tablespoonsfull of 
sage, and one of saffron, simmer together, strain off; add 
half a pint of molasses, and simmer again two hours, 
with a moderate heat, and while it is hot, add half a pint 
of the best Hollands. Dose, three times a day, com- 
mencing with a tablespoonfull, and increase as you like; 
this is a safe and reliable remedy for a cough, for man 
or horse. 

No. 35. — Cure for the Asthma. 
Difficult cases of this complaint may be cured, by taking 
two ounces each of elecampane root, sweet flag root, 
spikenard root, and the same of common chalk; beat them 
in a mortar until very fine, then adding one pound of 
honey, and beat them all together; take a teaspoonfull 
three or four times a day. A tablespoonfull may be given 
to a horse to advantage three times a day, by working 
into a ball. 

No. 36. — For the same, or Heaves. 

Take a seed bole of the skunk cabbage, that grows 

close to the ground, at the bottom of the leaves; if this 

can not be obtained, use the wild turnip (wake robin) 

with a little lobelia seed; stew this in hen's fat (after 



avery's own farrier. 293 

cutting it up fine) four or five hours, till it becomes nearly 
dry; take a teaspoonfull for a dose, or a tablespoonfull, 
in a ball, will be a dose for the horse that is troubled with 
a cough. Make a syrup of the queen of the meadow 
roots, and white swamp honeysuckle blossoms; sweeten 
this with honey or loaf sugar; add to a quart of this syrup 
half a pint of brandy. To be given once a day with the 
above for heaves; one gill will be a fair dose for this 
purpose; cure warranted or no pay. 

No. 37. — For a Sore Throat. 
Steam the throat with hot water, in which hops have 
been infused. After the hops have been scalded in vin- 
egar, apply them externally to the diseased part of the 
throat. 

No. 38. — For Stoppage of Urine, Urinary Balls. 

Take a handfull of buds of currant bushes, and the 
same quantity of honey bees; steep them very strong in 
hot water, give two spoonsfull for a dose every half hour. 
For the horse, take one pint of this tea and boil down 
till it begins to thicken, then cool, and add about the 
same quantity of balsam of fir; work into five or six balls, 
one of which will have the desired effect. These balls 
may be coated with sugar, and kept for use any length 
of time — quite equal to the celebrated Murcum or Buck 
ball. The common white mulberry bush affords a tea, 
when freely given, that is good for all urinary obstruc- 
tions, and facilitates the operation of other medicines; 
and is perfectly harmless in its operation. 



294 avery's own farrier. 

No. 39. — To cure Canker in the Mouth. 
Take the scrapings of the blackberry briar root, a few 
sumach berries, a little saffron, a little sage, and some 
goldthread or yellow root, put with these a little alum, 
some vinegar and honey; simmer the whole on a very 
slow fire, after adding a little water. Wet the mouth 
often with this; it seldom if ever fails to cure the worst 
canker in the mouth, and is an excellent wash for the 
horse's sore mouth in cases of Black Tongue, &c. 

No. 40. — A Plaster to ease the pain of Felons. 

Obtain the pitch from a pitch-pine knot, cut from the 
side of an old log that lies next the ground, by boiling 
it. Then boil four ounces of strong tobacco; after the 
strength is out, strain, and boil the liquor until it is thick; 
then add the pitch, and simmer over a moderate fire, 
stirring it all the while until it forms a salve; make a 
plaster of this, and wherever the sore is, lay it on above 
the next joint. This will ease the pain in a very short 
time. Dress the sore in the mean time with any other 
kind of healing salve. This also is a good application, 
and a useful plaster for horse flesh, in inflammation of 
any local wound, placed on or above the wound. 

No. 41. — A good Salve for Bruises, &c. 
Take one pound of spikenard root, one pound of to- 
bacco, and half a pound of comfrey root; boil these in six 
quarts of chamber lye, till almOst dry, then press out the 
juice, and add to it pitch or beeswax enough when sim- 
mered together to make it the consistency of a salve; 
apply this to the parts affected. 



avery's own farrier. 295 

No. 42. — To stop Blood from a Fresh Wound. 
An Indian remedy. Take three different kinds of 
herbs, you need not be particular what they are; chew 
them all together, and apply the contents, with the spit- 
tle to the wound. This remedy they use for man and 
beast (with great success, they say); it is simple and 
easy, being always at hand. 

No. 43. — To make Casler's Liniment. 
To one gallon of alcohol, add one pound of cedar oil; 
half a pound of squaw weed oil (blue blow); half a pound 
of oil origanum; half a pound of wormwood oil; half a 
pound of spearmint; half a pint tincture of lobelia; and 
one ounce of camphor gum; and color with red sanders. 

No. 44. — -To make Guiwit's Liniment. 
To one gallon of alcohol, add half a pound of wormwood 
oil; half a pound of origanum oil; four ounces of gum 
myrrh; one ounce oil of anise; and two ounces of cam- 
phor gum. 

No. 45. — Avery's Cure for Corns. 
Take the extract of swamp ash bark, off from the 
roots; add a very little spirits of turpentine; apply this 
three or four times — - or a strong lye made from the 
ashes of the same wood. Most corns will be removed in 
this way, without giving any pain. Where the above is 
not sufficiently strong for the purpose, or for ringbones, 
add a very little corrosive sublimate and laudanum. 



296 

No. 46. — Avery's Eye Wash. 

An excellent remedy for inflamed eyes: clear, cold 
water; apply often. 

No. 47. — Stafford's Cordial for a Weak Stomach. 

A good remedy for man or beast, try it. Take pitch 
pine wood and shave off in thin shavings; put these in a 
glass bottle and cover them with alcohol; let it stand 
fourteen days, then turn off, and reduce with water on 
taking; take a teaspoonfull three times a day; add to 
each dose six or seven drops essence of peppermint. 

No. 48. — To make Turner's Liniment for Breach. 

Comfrey root, boiled in vinegar, and spirits of turpen- 
tine, and as much alum as can be dissolved in the same. 
This may be used both outwardly and inwardly with 
safety; and is a good medicine for the above use. 

No. 49. — To make Good Advice acceptable and useful. 
It must be administered with a kind and friendly 
motive, and must not lack of previous good example, 
on the part of the one giving the dose. — Avery's. 

No. 50. — For a very Weak Stomach of long standing. 
An Indian recipe; look at it. In the first place omit 
taking all kinds of medicine whatever. Take rye, wash 
it clean, and boil it in the same manner as you would 
rice; make this your constant diet; be sure and not take 
any other kind of food whatever, till you are satisfied you 
can bear it; drink a tea of white pine bark, and slippery 
elm. This is said upon good authority to have cured 



avery's own farrier. 297 

persons who have been troubled with a weak stomach for 
years. 

No. 51. — For the Dropsy. 

From the same author. Take the juice of the white 
pond lily root; temper it with barley meal, and bake it 
for ordinary bread. This, he says, has been known to 
effect a cure when medicine failed to do it This is so 
harmless, there can be no danger in making the trial. 
Now here are two important diseases that we are liable 
to, said to have been cured by mere dieting, as it were, 
which coincides precisely with what I have witnessed in 
the horse, by a change of food; from high to low, or 
from low to high. But this is not always all that is ne- 
cessary to effect a cure, but when you can get rid of any 
disorder by a systematic diet without medicine, reason 
teaches, it is the best way of doing it. 

No. 52. — For a Sprain. 
Take two spoonsfull of honey^ the same quantity of 
salt, and the whites of four hen's eggs. Beat the whole 
together for an hour, then let it set an hour, and after 
this anoint the sprain with the oil that will be produced 
from the mixture, keeping the affected parts well rolled 
with a good bandage. This is said to be one of the best 
things ever known for a sprained ankle; and will readily 
relieve the horse of locked ankles, &c. 

No. 53. — For the Rheumatism. 
Take a handfull of horse-radish roots, the same quantity 
of prince of pine, and a little of prickly ash bark, ele- 
campane roots, bittersweet root bark, wild cherry tree 



298 avery's own farrier. 

bark, mustard seed, and a pint of tar water; put this into 
two quarts of brandy, and drink a wine glassfull twice 
a day before eating; wash the parts affected, with salt 
and rum, by a hot fife. 

No. 54. — For Thrush or Corns in Foundered Feet, &c. 
Clean the hoof well, getting all the dirt out of the rot 
on each side of the frog, by means of a sharp pointed 
scratcher, every evening, and turn in a little melted white 
pine turpentine for a few days (for the want of this put 
in salt), and in the morning, turn in tallow and rubber 
melted together; this forms a coating that will keep out 
the dirt during the day. If you stuff them at night do it 
with clay. 

No. 55. — The True Pulse. 
In order to ascertain the true state of the pulse, the 
horse should be approached very gently and cautiously, 
as the excitement caused by harsh and loud words, or 
the whip, will raise the pulse from five to ten beats per 
minute, he is so excitable; especially when diseased. 

No. 56. — Renewal of Life. 
I have seen the horse, when he was very much troubled 
to breathe, and given up to die by some, restored to 
health, by giving him a dose of the camphor, pepper- 
mint essence, and adding a teaspoonfull of the buck's 
horn (freshly rasped), and proper treatment afterwards. 
The hot drops may be used afterwards, or before for 
want of the former, but this is the best on such occasions 
of anything that can be given, and may be given with 



299 

safety let the disease be what it may. Perhaps there 
are no two diseases that the horse is liable to in the first 
stages thereof, that is so difficult to distinguish one from 
the other, as inflammation of the bowels and of the lungs; 
and add to these that of spasmodic colic; these make 
three as dangerous ills as they are subject to. The colic, 
however, is easily distinguished from inflammation, by 
being sudden in its attack, and having intervals of rest 
and ease, with the extremities not much altered as to 
warmth, and the pulse but little changed, only evidently 
fuller. In colic, the above medicine may be given with 
the best result; laudanum and dried sweet flag root, 
grated in, may be added to advantage, and physic in this 
case will be proper. But in inflammation of the bowels 
the order is reversed from that of colic. The legs and 
ears are cold, the pulse much quickened, and the attack 
and pain is more steady — in this case, as well as in 
inflammation of the lungs, copious bleeding may be re- 
sorted to with beneficial results to the patient, while 
physicing would prove more disastrous. But to distin- 
guish between inflammation of the bowels and inflamma- 
tion of the lungs, recourse must be had to the manner in 
w T bich the horse stands, and the lining membrane of the 
nose (which is the thermometer for the lungs). With 
inflammation of the lungs, they will stand stiff, and wide 
apart with the forward legs 4 so as to give as much room 
as possible for the lungs, and always choosing to stand 
up — while with inflammation of the bowels they are 
inclined to lie down; with inflammation of the lungs 
their breathing is not so regular (as that of the bowels), 
being more hurried at times, and the membrane of the 



300 avery's own farrier. 

nose a darker color, and as the disease progresses of a 
more purple hue or tinge in spots; and in both of these 
diseases the animal is greatly weakened and distressed 
by exercise. While in colic, the strength is not much 
affected, and relief is often obtained by motion, and rub- 
bing the belly. 

I leave for others to designate the use of the scalpel, 
in dividing the skin, flesh, cords, muscles, tendons, and 
fibres of the animal, &c. 

No. 57. — Lightning Liniment. 

Good for all nervous affections, rheumatism, &c. 
Take one part of chloroform, two of laudanum, and four 
of spirits of turpentine; mix them together and bathe 
the legs, back, or any other part of the body, where the 
animal is in great agony, and it will afford immediate 
relief. 

No. 58. — Mullen Oil. 
Horsemen, and others, attend. This is not the least 
in value, if it is towards the last of my list. Good for 
inflammatory rheumatism or any kind of a sore, by ap- 
plying it to the part affected. Excellent for catarrh, or 
glanders, by throwing it up the nostrils, and anointing 
the temples and forehead. I obtain it by picking the 
blossoms in summer and placing them in a glass bottle; 
when full, hang it up in a warm place where the sun can 
strike it, until the blossoms are decayed; there will be 
an oil rise on top, which you can turn off, and it is fit 
for use. This is the Indian's greatest remedy for taking 
film from the eye. 



301 



No. 59. — For Colt Distemper, or Strangles. 
If you wish to apply hot fomentations, steep lobelia 
herb in vinegar, and bind the herb on the throat hot, 
after bleeding. 

As we are all creatures of circumstance, we must be 
governed, in part, by circumstances; but a man may be 
brought up at college, and spend his whole life in 
studying, and if he has no natural capacity, may 
fall far below those whom nature and experience have 
taught. 

" There have been men, from the earliest ages of the 
world, blessed with the sublimer powers of genius; who 
could, as it were, with one comprehensive view, grasp 
the whole circle of science, and leave learning and art 
to follow after them in vain." Or they have a peculiar 
faculty to make people think so. And yet, you will find 
it difficult to get one original idea from them, on any 
subject whatever, that is calculated to benefit you. But 
this need not hinder any one else from improving the 
capacity given him, and giving it the right direction to 
prove useful to his fellow man. 

No. 60. — Composition for Ringbone, or Bone Spavin. 
Two ounces of spirits of turpentine; one ounce of 
oil origanum; one ounce of corrosive sublimate; half an 
ounce of opium; and half an ounce of camphor gum. 
Mix these all together and add a very little alcohol, 
and it is fit for use. 

26 



302 

No. 61. — For Rheumatic Affections, &c. 
Spirits of turpentine, with as much camphor gum as 
will dissolve in it. Good brandy, with gum guiac, dis- 
solved in it, is also often a useful application for this 
purpose. 

No. 62. — For Bloat in Horses or Cattle. 

Give one gill of spirits of turpentine in two or three 
gills of water; the effect is instantaneous. For the want 
of this, give two gills of melted lard, and the same of 
new milk, well mixed before being given. 

No. 63. — For Founder, Stiffness, &c, 
In the chest, &c; add to the horse's feed, a handfull 
of sunflower seed, once a day, and he will be most likely 
to come out right in a short time. 

Steel is made harder, by first heating; and then dip- 
ping it in water; and sometimes rendered tougher, and 
not so liable to crack in working it, by the use of oil. 
It is true, also, that it may be made too hard, or left too 
soft by the workman, to answer the purpose for which it 
was designed. Therefore experience, as well as skill, is 
necessary to bring this art to any degree of perfection. 
And so it is, in tempering the iron nerves and muscles 
of the animal; for when any part the body is raised 
to a great heat by disease or any other cause, it 
should be cooled gradually before the fire consumes 
the whole; and great care should be taken in the cooling 
process, whether you use water or oil, that you leave a 
good spring temper. 



avery's own farrier. 303 

No. 64. — A Poultice. 

In cases where a swelling is very painful, and the 
object is to relieve the animal from pain, as well as to 
relax and rot, or bring it to a head, a good poultice is 
made by boiling equal parts of soft soap and tobacco 
together a short time, then apply warm, after thickening 
with wheat flour. 

No. 65. — Elecampane. 
This root when dried and powdered, is good for a 
cough, mixed with other things, or alone, but it is not 
sufficient alone to cure an old chronic cough. Give the 
horse a spoonfull for a dose. 

No. 66. — To Learn a Horse to Pace, 
Fasten a leaden weight of some three or four pounds 
(prepared so as not to hurt the leg), just above the ankle; 
ride or drive the horse briskly, pulling the reins alter- 
nately at the same time; this will throw him into a pace; 
after exercising him in this way until he gets the desired 
gait, you may change the weights for lighter ones, using 
him in this way for a short time, he will become an easy 
pacer. 

No. 67. — Where Strong Erhines are Wanted. 

In cases of colds, &c, use the dry cayenne. If the 
object is to only make him sneeze or snort out the mucus, 
as it will not have this effect, when mixed with the oint- 
ment, but only help locate more heat, and change the 
action of those mucus membranes, &c. 



304 

No. 68. — Wonderful, but True. 
For any kind of soreness of the bowels, caused by- 
colds, colics, strains or severe purging, the camphor root, 
either dried and powdered, or steeped, is an infallible 
remedy; add to this, in cases of threatened or real inflam- 
mation of the bowels, or difficulty of urinating, the yar- 
row herb, prepared in the same manner, and you have a 
panacea. 

No 69.— A Salve, 
That is very cooling, soothing and healing, good to 
apply to any kind of a sore, where there is any inflam- 
mation, either local or general. Take the well-known 
herb, called liveforever, bruise or powder it fine, and 
then simmer it in sweet cream; then add camphor gum 
while it is only warm enough to dissolve the gum, mix 
thoroughly, and it is ready for use; apply by binding it 
on, or rubbing it over the surface of the sore. 

No. 70. — Ox Marrow. 

The spinal marrow of the ox or cow, by diluting with 
spirits of turpentine, is sometimes a very useful applica- 
tion for poll evil or fistula; in the beginning of the dis- 
ease apply often, by rubbing it on with the hand for two 
or three days, when a cure may be looked for. 

No. 71 — Fever Sore Cure. 

Take about equal parts of spikenard and comfrey 

roots, clean them; then take the same quantity as of 

both the former, of fat, salt pork; chop them all very 

fine, and simmer over a slow fire for a short time; add 



avery's own farrier. 305 

two spoonsfull of honey to a pound of the above, and it 
is ready for use, when cool. This is said to be a certain 
cure for fever sore, or any deep seated or ulcerated 
wound on or near the bone- Add to the above salve, 
wormwood oil, so as to make a liniment, and it is one 
of the best things to disperse swelling or callous of the 
parotid glands (that lie just over the angle of the jaw 
bone), that is left by distempers or colds. 

No. 72. — To Clean the Horse. 
When the horse is troubled with dust or dandruff in 
the hair, caused by surfeit, &c, let him roll in dry sand, 
as he will be very willing to do whenever he has an 
opportunity to do so; wash and clean with a brush; this 
will take the sand all out of the hair, which will take 
the dandruff along with it, and both helps cleanse the 
skin. 

No. 73. — Caution. 

" Immodest words admit of no defence, 
For want of decency is want of sense." 

As the foetus partakes largely of the peculiar quality 
of the blood (at the time of the union of the sexes, as 
well as after) of the dam, it is essentially necessary in 
good breeding, that care should be taken not to ride or 
drive her to excess, immediately previous — that is, not 
to heat her blood to an unusual degree. And she should 
be kept in some quiet place, where she will not be 
teased by other horses, for several days afterwards. 

No. 74. — Adhesive or Sticking Plaster. 
Take three pounds of rosin, half pound bees' wax, 



306 avery's own farrier. 

four ounces of mutton tallow, and two ounces of white 
pine turpentine; melt and mix together; when suffi- 
ciently cool, work into rolls to suit convenience. 

No. 75.— Celebrated Liniment. 

Take one ounce of origanum, one ounce of cedar, one 
ounce of hemlock, and one-fourth of an ounce of worm- 
wood oils, then one-eighth of an ounce each of cloves 
and camphor gum, add to this one quart of alcohol; use 
spirits of wine and color if you like; good for fresh 
wounds, sprains and bruises. 

No. 76 — A"*New Discovery for a Burn. 

They who pull down the stately fabric of general 
health and prosperity, find themselves buried beneath its 
ruins. Dry charcoal, pulverised and laid over a fresh 
burn, for one hour, will ease the pain and cause it to 
heal in almost an incredibly short time; simple, but 
certainly deserves a trial. 

No. 77. — To Break a Horse from Kicking. 

Strap up one of his fore legs so that he can not get 
his foot to the floor, then exercise and handle his hind 
legs, moving him about the floor till he is tired of stand- 
ing on three legs, and becomes submissive. A few 
lessons in this way will render him safe to handle any- 
where. Strange as it may appear, the horse in walking 
or trotting, never has but one foot off the ground at a 
time; which accounts for the efficacy of this mode of 
treatment. 



307 

No. 78. — Cutting Teeth. 
Colts, when first foaled, if parturition was at maturity, 
should have four front teeth, two in each jaw; and it is 
sometimes the case they have four in each jaw. But it 
sometimes happens, that none of these are cut through, 
and the gums are inflamed, and so tender that the colt 
can not suck well. This should always be looked to, 
and the gums cut through with a sharp knife if neces- 
sary; and if needs be should be fed with milk, sweet- 
ened with molasses, till it can suck freely. 

No. 79. — For Milk Leg Sores. 
Take quick lime, and strained honey, about equal 
parts; makes a good application for an old sore or wound 
of this kind; if used as a wash, add Boston rum, or use 
No. 71 on the sore, and bathe the limb with the hot 
drops. Many of the big legs we see are caused by 
injuries in the back or spine, causing dropsy of the 
limb, that should have been remedied by some of the 
foregoing liniments. But after being allowed to run 
until they become chronic, it may sometimes require 
more active treatment, in order to effect a cure, when 
nothing short of blistering or the cautery need be 
resorted to, or the prepared cotton, but fire is fire. 

No. 80. — Another Heave Ball. 
Equal parts of quick lime and honey, adding a very 
little lobelia seed. Work these into a common sized 
ball, and give one every morning, until relief is found. 
For want of the lobelia, use more of the powdered ele- 
campane root. 



308 

No. 81. — A Liniment for Sprains, Bruises, Ringbones 
and Spavins. 

This is a compound that harmonizes well, and is use- 
ful in many cases, when applied to the human flesh, 
viz. : to one quart of alcohol, add two ounces of oil of 
wormwood ; and one ounce each of cedar, hemlock, 
balsam, amber and origanum oils. There are medicines 
which remove diseases, only by substituting others, 
worse even than the first. In using medicines, there- 
fore, remember to use such only as will assist nature, 
and not impede her, and destroy the system. 

No. 82. — For Sweeny. 
If the horse is to be worked, while under treatment 
for this disease, the following will be the best mode of 
procedure to effect a cure : the muscles being contracted, 
the skin adheres to the bones and muscles, and becomes 
very tight on the shoulder, or the affected part. Anoint 
the place once a day, for two or three days in succes- 
sion, with spirits of turpentine, after which begin to 
rub it well every day with bear's oil (or for the want 
thereof use melted lard), and also pull the skin up loose 
all over the place affected, with a pair of large flat 
pinchers. This being attended to for some two weeks, 
and a few applications afterwards of No. 81, will relieve 
and strengthen the muscles, and the horse is cured of 
his lameness. 

No. S3. — Disinfecting Compound. 
Take dried and pulverized plaster of Paris, mixed with 
one-fourth 'part of its weight of powdered charcoal. 



avery's own farrier. 309 

This is a cheap and effective disinfecting composition; 
it removes the noxious emanations from decomposing 
organic matter, it fixes the ammonia, and forms a valua- 
ble manure, when removed from the stable, &c. 

No. 84. — An excellent Liniment. 
For skin fractures or blotches: take fresh butter and 
try it until the buttermilk is out of it, then add the same 
quantity of origanum oil, a little camphor and spirits of 
hartshorn; mix thoroughly. 

No. 85. — To clear the Eye from Dirt. 
Take oil of peppermint, and rub it on freely below the 
eye; this will steam up into the eye, causing a copious flow 
of tears, which, together with the motion of the eye, will 
wash out all loose dirt that may be in the eye effectually. 
It being so very difficult to work at the horse's eye, 
owing to its great sensitiveness, that this remedy is often 
beneficial. 

No. 86. — Happiness consists in doing Right. 
Brother farmer, come let us join the light-infantry of 
Progress, that success may be ours. It may be pleasant 
to ride over the flower strewn path that lies before us, 
and partake of the bounties of earth, while the eye feasts 
on the starry-curtained heavens that hang over us. And 
if we grow wiser, happier, and more useful to our fellow 
soldiers, on our journey, then the object for which we 
enlisted is accomplished. 



310 

No. 87. — Restoration to Health. 
When the horse has sunken, sallow-looking, gummed 
eyes, you may give him a spoonfull of pulverized cop- 
peras, to advantage, "but it is not best to repeat the dose 
under a week, if at all, as the poison it contains is too 
weakening if too often repeated. 

No. 88.— The Non Plus. 
The common puff ball is sometimes useful in staunch- 
ing blood, from a fresh wound, by breaking it up and 
binding it on the wound. It also has about the same 
effect on the horse that chloroform does on the human, 
by drying it, and then letting him inhale the smoke 
thereof, while it is burning on hot coals; this is used 
sometimes (in the absence of other articles) for medi- 
cating the horse. 

No. 89. — For a General Medicine. 
As I stated in the commencement of the second part 
of this work, that there could not be anything very 
serious about the horse, that did not affect any of the 
principal outlets of the body, viz: the skin, urine or 
excrement, because, if any of the internal organs of his 
complicated structure be deranged, it will soon show 
itself in some one or all of these, which calls for some 
artificial stimulant to set them right again; and not 
unfrequently, it requires a general medicine, that will act 
in harmony on the whole; and then it is often the case, 
aside from this, that there is a want of vital energy of 
the system, when the pulse will be below the common 



avery's own farriek. 311 

standard, which calls loudly for an additional stimulant 
to the arterial system, which may be found in the use of 
the following articles: Take one gill of superfine flour 
of slippery elm bark, and four spoonsfull of Cape or 
Barbadoes aloes, and the same of saffron blows, with one 
spoonfull of camphor gum, powdered and mixed, will be 
sufficient for four to eight doses, which may be given in 
a quart of warm water sweetened with molasses, as a 
drench, or worked into balls with the same, and well 
oiled, and given as often as the case may require. But 
when the difficulty is most apparent in urinating, leave 
out the camphor and saffron, and in lieu thereof, add 
rosin, or balsam of fir; or if this is not the case, and 
there is a want of vitality, or natural warmth of the 
body, leave out the rosin and balsam, and in lieu of them 
add cayenne and gum myrrh, which in any case that 
requires medicine, may be followed by giving a quart of 
strong tea, made by steeping the common garden sage, 
which is admirably adapted to the wants of the horse, 
as I have before stated. But, if the animal is in extreme 
pain in any of the urinary organs, and the object is to 
relieve his suffering, then apply hot fomentation (hops 
for instance), to the body; if the disease has so far 
advanced, that there is danger of mortification, apply 
the hot drops, or pure rock salr and cold water, this, 
together with the stomach tonics, recommended for 
derangement of the stomach, and colic, is all that will 
be necessary for nearly all ordinary cases of disease that 
the horse is subject to of this kind. 



312 avery's own farrier. 

Assisted by memory, I have picked up the scattered 
fragments of the mind — and like the skillful mariner, who 
carefully fills up his log, for the purpose of knowing 
what degree of latitude and longitude he is sailing in — 
I have endeavored to map the ground that I have 
traveled over, so that any one following on my track, 
will be able to shun the rocks and shoals that have ship- 
wrecked others. 

Though I do not pretend but that there are points 
relative to the horse, that are beyond the horizon of my 
investigation; yet I think I have said enough to benefit 
that class of readers to which this little treatise is dedi- 
cated. • 

No. 90. — The Farmer's Medicine Chest, 
Should be situated in some safe and convenient place 
about his dwelling or stable; and should contain a nice 
lancet, fleam, horn or bottle; a good syringe that will 
hold at least a quart; a pair of forceps sufficiently strong 
to pull teeth or shoe nails, and two scratchers, one 
straight one, and one crooked or hooked towards the 
point, for the purpose of cleaning and examining the 
feet. 

He should also provide himself with (at the proper 
seasons for gathering them) such plants, herbs, barks and 
roots, as he can easily procure from the fields he so often 
travels over, and are most needed in the treatment of the 
most common diseases (at least) that frequent his stable; 
and such other medicines as I have recommended, or he 
may prefer, in treating all ordinary diseases of the horse. 
Supposing you have never been taxed, by having sick 



avery's own farrier. 313 

or lame horses, you are not exempt any more than your 
neighbors, unless it is because you have learned to take 
better care of them. And then you will please remember 
the text, that an ounce of preventive, is worth a pound 
of cure. And I am sure that it is easier paid for, when 
two pounds of the former can be had at a less cost than 
one ounce of the latter. 

No. 91. — Another Recipe for Condition Powders. 

To raise and animate the drooping spirits of a very 
sick horse, perhaps there is nothing better in the world, 
than the remedy given under the caption of Renewal of 
Life. And to strengthen the digestive organs, and re- 
store good health and prime condition, after any kind of 
fever, inflammation, &c, the following is a good remedy: 
Take equal parts of ground mustard, grated liquorice 
root, and the filings of deer's horns; these should be all 
newly powdered, and then add to one part of each, two 
parts of the flour of the elm bark; if there is a cough, 
add elecampane root (a small part), which may be 
scented with anise, &c. Give a tablespoonfull every 
morning, for four or five days — except in urgent cases, 
give twice a day — in a mash of bran or soaked oats; if 
the animal refuses to eat it prepared in this way, fix a 
new dose, and give it in a pint of water, with a horn or 

bottle. 

No. 92. — A Simple Digestive, 

Or restorative, merely to assist digestion and cleanse 

the stomach, as many other diseases proceed from this 

cause alone, give the horse a tablespoonfull of powdered 

charcoal, and a teaspoonfull of peppermint essence in a 

27 



314 avery's own farrier. 

pint of water. Good nursing in all cases of disease, is 
very essential. 

We often see horses grow up with their limbs dispro- 
portionately large, or small, for their bodies; and it is 
not unfrequently the case that this is caused, measurably, 
by the quality of food he subsists on. I have often 
seen this kind of horse much improved, by changing the 
quality of food, which is sometimes brought about by 
changing owners, &c. That is, when their limbs have 
been too light and slender, they would gradually grow 
larger and firmer. And when the limbs have appeared 
too large, the body would grow, so as to be more pro- 
portionate to the limbs; and all this brought about by 
judicious feeding and exercise. The buckwheat, not- 
withstanding its cooling and cleansing effects on the 
system (for the purposes I have recommended it on ac- 
count of its medicinal properties), also contains more 
phosphate of lime (which increases the growth of bone), 
as well as more fatty matter than many other kinds of 
grain. » ,* 

No. 93.— Frogs' Oil. 

To relax the muscles, &c, take two or three quarts of 
sweet cream, set it boiling in a kettle; then put in one 
dozen of large live frogs, and let it boil until there is 
nothing left of the frogs, except bones, then strain, and 
try down to an oil. An excellent remedy for string 
halt and sprung knees, apply as before directed ; some- 
times a little cedar oil may be added advantageously, 
for tetanus. 



315 

No. 94. — A Good Domestic Liniment. 
To one pint of good alcohol add one and a half ounce 
of origanum oil; one ounce of camphor gum, and half 
an ounce of laudanum. 

No. 95. — A Good Horse Liniment. 
One pint of alcohol, one pint of spirits turpentine, 
two ounces of camphor gum, one and a half ounce of 
origanum oil, one and a half ounce of oil of amber, one 
ounce of wormwood oil, two ounces of Barbadoes tar, 
and three ounces of Castile soap; good for cuts, burns, 
bruises, sprains and neuralgia. 

No. 96. — Cause and Effect. 
As sure as effect follows cause, just so sure there is a 
cause for effect; and this is applicable in disease as well 
as in anything else. I have no doubt, even in this sec- 
tion of country, that many of the ills that the horse is 
subjected to may be attributed to improper feeding, and 
that as many horses suffer from this cause, as from want 
of feeding. I know many farmers and others that are in 
the habit, as soon as their oats are harvested, to begin 
feeding their work horses with oats in the bundle, until 
winter, or until they have time to do their threshing; and 
others, while feeding a good portion of grain, make up 
the remaining part of their food with straw. As a gene- 
ral rule, this last does very well, and especially where cut 
feed is not used at all, and more particularly after their 
horses are old enough to be put into work, say five or six 
years old. Although this mode of feeding has had its dis- 
astrous effects with the horse, the present season. Owing 



316 

to the late and wet spring of 1858, and the frequent show- 
ers and hot sun that intervened, the oat crop was sown late, 
consequently but a light crop was obtained, the straw of 
which was almost invariably struck more or less with 
the rust. This rust, or ergot, contains poison, and by 
constantly feeding the straw, its effects are like a slow 
poison, taking in more of it with their food than can 
work itself out through the pores of the skin. It is an 
ergot of the oat, the same as that of rye, or the grasses 
which causes hoof ail among cattle. I have known quite 
a number of horses suffering from this cause, and had 
several under my immediate observation and care the 
past winter (1859). Symptoms: Refuses to eat, drinks 
daintily, having languid feeling with cold ears and feet; 
pulse slow and weak; much inclined to lie down, rising, 
pawing, and looking around to the sides occasionally, 
but only when the paroxysms come on, caused by the 
contraction, or spasms of the muscular coatings of the 
stomach and intestines, flanks tucked up, &c. Cure : First 
remove the cause by a change of food, and the effect 
ceases; nature will again rally without a foe. Secondly, 
a little mint water and powdered ginger, will be very 
beneficial in restoring tone and action to the system. 

No. 97. — The Study of Nature. 
I am not an Agassiz, nor a Humboldt; but I fully con- 
cur with the former in the sentiment that the study of 
the phenomena of nature is among the most potent means 
of developing the human faculties. As an evidence of 
this look at the latter, who is the very embodiment of the 
most extensive human knowledge in our days; "and 



avery's own farrier. 317 

who has acquired this position, and who has become an 
object of reverence throughout the world, merely by his 
devotion to the study of nature." 

I am well aware that it is easier to give advice than 
it is to take it. For this reason books often become a 
dry study; therefore he that wishes to profit by the study 
of nature, should go out into the fields and forests, and 
draw its objects around him by the most scrutinizing 
observation. There he will learn what he can not draw 
from any other source, and what he can not buy, and feel 
what he can not write.* 

For instance, if we want to be animated by the charms 
of music, we must not only study the rules which help 
cultivate the memory, but we must take an instrument 
and learn to play it. If we would be interested in the 
study of plants, let us go to the plants themselves. If 
we would study mineralogy, Jet us take specimens, stones, 
minerals and crystals. Or if we would study natural 
history, then let us have the animals before us. Then 
books will have a meaning, they will no longer be a dry 
study, but grow more interesting and useful as we peruse 
them. 

Man can not change the principles of nature, but he 
must learn to take the phenomena of nature as thev are, 
which should teach him humility and truth; for what- 



* The world's great humorist and naturalist, Dan Rice, who has 
(he says) tamed and educated a variety of animals, from the Rhino- 
ceros down to the Goose, says the Naturalist can not write j he 
knows things are thus and so, but the whys and wherefores he can 
not tell if he would. 



318 

ever he finds in nature is true; therefore be should bow 
to what is, and what he can not (with all his pride and 
wisdom) change. And while learning this he will ac- 
quire a knowledge of things as they are, a power which 
can neither be checked nor lessened, and which will 
enable him to see the relation he bears, and his duty 
towards the animal creation, which will improve the 
mind in proportion as his opportunities for observation, 
and willingness to serve his master, increases. 

He will also learn to see the similitude that exists in 
all quadrupeds, and that they are all constructed on the 
same great plan; that the Great Architect knew how to 
apply the same means to purposes as different as walk- 
ing, flying, and swimming. 

No. 98. — The Tourniquet. 

The Doctor had a splendid horse, but he had one bad 
habit, that of being very ugly to shoe; he kicked 
so when they attempted to nail the hind shoes on 
that the smiths were all afraid of him; they cast him 
several times for this purpose. I found by buckling a 
strap around each hind leg above the hock so as to com- 
press the ham-string sufficiently, there was no difficulty 
in drawing, driving and clinching the nails without be- 
ing kicked out of the barn, a thing that several horse- 
men had failed to accomplish. The Doctor must take 
his tourniquet along with him the next time he wants his 
favorite shod. 



319 

No. 99. — Cure for a Despairing Mind. 
Take one drachm of each, faith, hope and charity; 
sweetened with one ounce of that love that worketh no 
ill lo its neighbor; the whole to be taken (morning and 
evening) in a glassfull of truth, until the patient is con- 
valescent. 



320 avery's own farrier. 



HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 

Rum, Brandy, Gin and Whiskey, are more or less all 
adulterated articles at the present day, and the less we 
have to do with them (as a general thing) the better. 
Our Teas, Sugars and Tobacco, with many other articles 
of a like nature, come under the same category; and it 
is better to buy a pure article when we can, even though 
the first cost may be more; it will be cheaper for us in 
end, if, by so doing, we preserve our health. Cotton is 
fast taking the place of wool and silk, in many of the 
fabrics intended for our use; consequently it becomes 
necessary for us to make ourselves acquainted with the 
different modes of manufacturing those articles, that we 
may be able to detect the imposition, and see that we get 
what we pay for. We need say nothing about jewelry, 
and those articles that our pride and extravagance have 
called into use. The horse, too, notwithstanding the 
great space he fills among the many wants of man, is a 
very deceivable kind of property. Even our best judges 
are sometimes liable to be deceived on some points, when 
they purchase a horse. They are obliged to content them- 
selves with guessing at them, or rely on the honor of the 
salesman; and then there are certain requisites among the 
excellencies of those useful creatures, that are indispens- 
able for a good horse to have. My views of which can 
be found in the chapter of breeding, and when rightly 
studied will defy all Yankeedom to deceive us. 

Some men are so perfectly ignorant to their true in- 
terest and happiness, that it would seem as though no 



avery's own farrier. 321 

recuperative treatment was sufficient to make them re- 
frain from this common error, in using a little deception 
in the sale of their animals; but' they should remember 
that for every dollar gained in this way (to the pocket), 
there are ten lost to the reputation, and nine times out of 
ten where this course is pursued, for any considerable 
length of time, it brings both to bankruptcy, or the 
proprietor is lost to true happiness. 

And then some are quite apt to deceive themselves by 
not exercising their better judgment, or relying to much 
on what they may have heard some one say, or having 
formed too favorable an opinion before hand, for all 
these things have a powerful influence on the minds and 
judgment of most men at such times, in fact so much 
that they can not tell afterwards whether the questions 
they asked were answered, or some they did not ask; for 
if they see one or two points in a horse that pleases them, 
it becomes an easy task for the jockey to divert their at- 
tention from all the rest, however bad they may be. 
Therefore, to become a successful purchaser, we must 
learn something of human nature, as well as that of 
the horse. 

In the first place, if you wish to purchase a horse, you 
should be calm and deliberate, considering well the use 
you are to make of the animal you are about to buy, and 
then select one that is well adapted to your purpose, 
remembering that the size, shape and motion of the ear, 
with the expression of the eye, is an index to the dis- 
position and temper within, as much as the legs (which 
should be free from all blemishes whatever), and the 



322 

general symmetry of the body, are of his muscular power. 
The feet should be carefully examined; choose a round 
and smooth hoof, not foo soft nor too hard, the bottom 
of which should be curving, as a flat foot, with a spongy 
heel and frog, is very objectionable. 

As to the soundness of the lungs and other parts of 
the body, you have three chances, viz: to trust to your 
own knowledge and good judgment, or rely on the honor 
of the salesman in this respect, or carefully study the 
horse and this book, which I leave as a boon, that I 
sincerely hope you will be able to profit by. 

My boat has reached the shore, 

My mark you now can see. 
And yet, I wish still more 

To aid myself and thee. 



avery's own farrier. 323 



CLOSING REMARKS. 

Life is before us; let us use it as children of one far superior 
to any and all of us, whose all-seing eye ever rests upon us, and 
to whom we should return thanks for everything we enjoy, as 
all this is a gift from Him. 

I have already gone beyond the space I intended to 
occupy when I commenced this work, but any one can 
readily perceive my limited position, and will excuse me 
for going over so much ground, when they consider that 
a whole volume would be necessary to describe the eye 
or foot alone of the horse, in all its parts. 

Thinking that a description of all the various diseases 
that the horse is liable to, together with the remedies 
suitable for their cure, would be more useful and satis- 
factory to the public (which I have endeavored to do as 
well as my feeble pen could describe my ideas), than to 
undertake to give an anatomical description of his com- 
plicated structure, which could be of no earthly use to 
any one unless he had a practical knowledge of the 
other. It is our business to take care of the horse, which 
differs a little here from the engine, that we both manu- 
facture and keep in repair afterwards. 

If one-half of the time and expense that has been laid 
out in analyzing minerals, and manufacturing theories, 
had been laid out in studying into the nature of disease, 
and their proper treatment by simple vegetable medicine, 
we should have been far better off (to-day) than we now 
are, I think. 

And whenever I am conscious that this little book has 
been the means of saving one poor man's horse, I shall 



324 

feel amply rewarded for the time and trouble it has cost 
me to throw my thoughts on these pages. And yet I 
know that if it should be appreciated, and generally 
adopted in veterinary practice, that it will be the means 
of saving thousands that might otherwise go to the bats 
every year. And when they show that I have not as clear 
a head, and as honest a heart as other men, on the true 
principle of governing a horse in health, and when 
diseased, it is hoped that they will prove this by giving 
to the world something better than I have done. 

I can not help protesting against the old method of 
giving advice to the effect that when a horse was or had 
been diseased, to trade him off, or sell him as .quick as 
possible. My advice to the owners of such animals 
would be to first cure them of any and all diseases that 
they may have, which can be done, and then do as they 
please about parting with them. Or, if they sell them, 
sell them for what they are worth, as they are, hiding 
nothing. 

I was astonished to-day on taking up the New York 
Tribune (February 20th, 1858), to see that the editor of 
that valuable paper should, after giving his patrons some 
wholesome advice as to the treatment of several diseases 
of the horse, wind up the thread of his discourse by fol- 
lowing this old method of advice in these words: "And 
now, one word to the owner of a horse that has had one 
bad attack of inflammation, either of the lungs or of the 
bowels — get rid of him as soon as possible." 

Now what one man would gain by following such 
advice as that, another must certainly lose, and, be- 



325 

sides this, look at the amount of litigation it has cost 
(if not perjury) in the world. Therefore, I say, when a 
man has a diseased horse, he should set himself to work 
studying into the nature of the disease, and apply those 
harmless remedies that nature has provided for all, until 
he effects a cure, or place him in the hands of a compe- 
tent person for this purpose, but not trade him off as 
sound because he does not know how to make him such. 

In human life there is a constant change of fortune, 
and it would be unreasonable to expect exemption from 
the common fate of mankind. Life itself decays, and 
all things are daily changing, yet I hope and trust that 
you will endeavor with me to use the things of this 
world so as not to abuse them. Do right and fear not, 
is the motto, for fear and ignorance are the parents of 
cruelty. 

Well, as I happen to live in the days of fast men and 
fast horses, I must pen a few more lines and then I am 
done. The time has been when any improvement in 
horses, was by many almost despaired of; and even rail 
roads, as well as the maich of other improvements, if not 
impeded, have been objected to and opposed on the 
ground that horses would be thrown out of employ; that 
there would be no market for them, consequently the 
farmer could not get pay for raising them, but the result 
has proved the reverse of this. 

The fact in this case is, the horse is an adjunct of civili- 
zation, and can never be dispensed with. The further- 
ance of other improvements, only serve to his advance- 
ment, and to increase his demand, for the supply of good 

28 



326 

horses was never yet equal to the demand. And every 
one knows that the ability of a horse is the measure of 
his worth, for a horse that will go a mile in three 
minutes, is worth more to the physician or business man 
than one that only goes a mile in ten minutes. And we 
all like to see smart men and smart horses, for the facul- 
ties of both were given them for use. And we like to 
see the horse brought into the fullest exercise by judicious 
breeding and training, which tests the capability of 
matter. A greater interest needs to be awakened in the 
public mind, by diffusing useful knowledge in the way 
to improve these animals, to have this desideratum 
accomplished, and which is measurably being done by 
the encouragement given by our legislatures, the organ- 
ization of our national fairs, &c. 

There is as much philanthropy in making animal 
matter subservient to mind, as there is in improving and 
cultivating the mind itself, as the one helps to accomplish 
the other. And it always affords pleasure, to see a fast 
horse and a handsome gait, and one that never refuses to 
pull, and can back as much as he can draw. 

The best of horses are none too good, for the best of 
men — neither are perfect yet. 

There is a right and a wrong principle existing which 
is manifest to every one, and men are influenced more or 
less by the one or the other; but that the one of doing 
wrong is necessarily exercised in trading or dealing in 
horses, any more than in any other commodity, I deny. 
And that anything which I have said in the foregoing 
pages, should have a tendency to sap the virtues, or 



avery's own farrier. 327 

encourage a spirit of evil-doing in any one, is far from 
the motive of your friend and would-be benefactor. 
Let truth ever be the pole star to guide us to the temple 
of fame, which will enable us to behold the wisdom and 
goodness of God as it shines through his love, as we see 
his bow through the rain drop. 



328 



ADVERTISEMENT. 

Aristotle the great and ancient philosopher could des~ 
cribe (in his way and time) the use of each genital 
organ in the reproductive instinct, while there w T ere 
other things he frankly acknowledged he knew T nothing 
of. Dr. Franklin had not then invited the lightning 
from the clouds to prove that his theory was correct; 
nor had a Fulton lived to see his powerful agent (steam) 
harnessed for man to drive around the world. Could 
they be brought back, with what wonder and astonish- 
ment would they view the improvements of the nine- 
teenth century, and which are, in great part, the result 
of their discoveries. 

After making various experiments, through years of 
study, I make a Pill to give the horse, that is of great 
importance to showmen, sportsmen, and all friends of 
choice horses, which I call the Quaint. 

The modus operandi of this Pill is, first, to invigorate 
the internal organs, causing the animal to appear more 
spirited, and increase his speed to such an extent as to 
satisfy the salesman of its utility. Secondly, while it 
does this, it contains properties that act as a preventive 
against inflammation or stiffness of any kind that might 
otherwise be caused by the extra speed it creates, and 
which can not fail to be appreciated by the sportsman, 
either in health or disease. 

Motion of the animal body can not be effected without 
the expenditure of force. The voluntary movement of 
an organ creats a want of moving power, by exhausting 



329 

the conditions upon which motion is dependent. Hence 
this want amounts to the same thing as an actual demand 
on the fountain of life; the supply of this demand is a 
continual stimulus to the vital forces. Electricity, too 
(strange as it may appear to some), enters into every 
part of animal life, or, in one sense, is life itself, as it is 
this that gives life to all animated beings. And if may 
appear stranger still, when I assert that life can be pro- 
duced by Art, which is in perfect harmony with the laws 
of Nature. Not that I would take the work of Deity in 
my own hands; but it is now being understood that life 
from embryo is developed by electric action — by an 
analagous process. And by charging the system to a 
certain degree with electricity, or adding to life for the 
time being by strengthening and invigorating the vital 
forces, we increase the speed and velocity of the animal. 

Some physiologists have given it as their opinion, that 
the spleen of the human body serves as a reservoir for 
the superabundance of blood in the system, to be dis- 
tributed again to such parts which, from some cause, are 
suffering from a deficiency of that circulating fluid; or, 
in other words, to preserve the equilibrium should it be- 
come deranged. 

As with the spleen, so are there substances in nature 
surcharged with electric fluid. When the bodies, of 
which thtse substances are mere appendages, have at- 
tracted a larger amount of electricity than is necessary 
for their growth and health, these appendages receive 
this excess, to be returned again when the requirements 
of the bodies need it. 

These facts, together with many others of a con- 



330 

vincing nature, have led me to analyze and experiment, 
until at length I discovered, under many phases of dis- 
couragement, a medicine, combining many peculiar pro- 
perties of a subtle and mysterious character. Its effects 
are so striking, I might add, startling, that I have been 
induced to lay it before those who look upon the horse 
as an animal worthy the esteem and friendship of man. 
To such I offer it, and not to those who consider him a 
drudge, a fit subject for kicks and blows, and who even 
deny him a sufficiency of daily food as a compensation 
for the hard labor he performs. 

It is generally known that racers fitted for the course, 
are subjected to a rigid course of diet, calculated to pro- 
mote strength and elasticity of muscle. Arterial stimu- 
lants are also employed from time to time, but more 
especially so when the speed and endurance of the horse 
are being put to the test. Thus far, these stimulants 
alone have been employed by sportsmen. 

The recipe mentioned below contains several articles 
which, when combined, exert a general electrical in- 
fluence, not only over the circulation, but also over the 
nerves and muscles. The horse, under the harmless but 
reviving effect of this medicine, will astonish those who 
know his capabilities, by his marvelous feats of fleetness 
and endurance. Unlike alcoholic stimulants, whose in- 
fluence is ephemeral, it supplies a natural demand, and 
is as necessary to the full development of the animal 
spirits, as food is to the sustenance of the body. 

This medicine is not calculated for general use; for 
this reason I did not place it in the body of this work. 



avery's own farrier. 331 

But all who have an interest in good horses, and wish 
to show them up to their utmost capabilities, and wit- 
ness a continuance of action without fatigue seldom met 
with, can, for their own use, avail themselves of the 
benefit of this discovery (which alone will be satisfac- 
tory evidence of its properties), by remitting Ten 
Dollars current money to the subscriber, on the receipt 
of which he will transmit, by return mail, the recipe, 
with full directions, &c, &c. Hear the horse; 

Give me a ball of Avery's Quaint, 
And on the course I'll never faint, 
The lungs and muscles all tuned right, 
I'll trot or run, with great delight. 

JAMES AVERY, Salisbury Centre, 

Herkimer County, N. Y. 



INDEX. 



Page. 

A cold, 45 

A curb or corb, 118 

A tribute to the horse, 126 

A good horse, 189 

A good liniment, 246 

A salve, 240 

Anthelmintics, 242 

Astringents, 244 

A drench to increase the appetite, &c, . . , 246 

Alterative powder, 247 

Astringent drench, 248 

Anodyne ball, 248 

A mercurial blister, - . 252 

Antidotes for poison, 238 

A mash, 253 

Adhesive, or sticking plaster, 254 

Brief history, and anecdotes of the horse, 31 

Bots and worms, 56 

Breach, 156 

Blinders or blinkers 232 

Burns, 63 

Blind staggers, or apoplexy, 70 

Black tongue, 72 

Bilious, or inflamatory colic, 99 

Blood spavin, 109 



334 INDEX. * 

♦ 

Page. 

Bone spavin, • 113 

Bitting the horse, 210 

Bleeding, 91 

Blistering ointment, 252 

Breeding, 167 

Catarrh, asthma and cough, 47 

Cribbing, 80 

Choking, 80 

Criterion of age, &c, 143 

Castration of colts, 158 

Comparisons, 191 

Condition powders, how made, .... , 239 

Composition powders for colds, 247 

Cordial, or invigorating ball, 248 

Cheap liniment for hoofs, * . . 249 

Closing remarks, 323 

Cheap and reliable astringent drench, 249 

Cure for mallenders and sallenders (gout), 250 

Clyster for gripes, , ' 252 

diseases and injuries of the eye, 82 

Derangement of the stomach and bowels, , 97 

Diseases of the skin, 104 

Docking, pricking and nicking, 161 

Dropsy, 108 

Disinfectants, deodizers and fertilizers, 132 

Deafness, 150 

Distempers contracted by marketing, . . . e 184 

Death, beginning at the lungs, * 237 

Death, beginning at the brain, 238 

Death, beginning at the heart, 238 

Death, by the effect upon the system generally 238 

Diuretics, , 241 

Diaphoretics, «... 241 

Demulcents, 242 

Diarrhea, dysentery, or scouring, 102 

Driving, . * 266 

Dog'soil, 245 



INDEX. 335 



Explanation, ; 1 

Expectorants, • • « . 241 

Erhines, 244 

Egg shells, 245 

Embrocation for strains, &c, 250 

Elder, its use, 253 

Founder, , 54 

Feeding and medicating, 274 

For weakness across the loins, and urinary difficulties, 75 

For sprains, bites, and swellings on the legs, 68 

Fever, 94 

For stopping joint lee, 117 

Fistula on the withers, 154 

Fever ball and powder, 248 

Firing and blistering, . 251 

Glanders and farcy cured, . w . 134 

General remarks on disease, with recipes, &c, 271 

How to improve the condition of the horse, 42 

Heaves, - • • 51 

Harnessing, • • • • 230 

Horse distemper, 71 

Hints to purchasers, 320 

Heave powder, 240 

Hot drops, 246 

Hoof liquid, 249,252 

Introductory remarks, ^5 

Lung fever, 54 

Liniment for bruises, sprains, and ulcers, • • • • • 60 

Loss of appetite, • °9 

Lameness in the stifle joint, 117 

Liquid opodeldoc, 

Lithontriptics, 243 

Lotion for strains and tumors, 250 

Laxative clyster, 252 

2^0 
Mange ointment, 

Mild liquid or sweating blister, . 252 

Mode of giving balls and drinks, 254 



336 INDEX. 

Page. 

Nutricious clyster, , 252 

Nicking, 163 

On training and educating the horse, » 194 

On the subjugation of the horse without medicating, 218 

Opodeldoc, 249 

Oil of spike, 249 

Pharmacopcea, or second part, 234 

Poll evil, 152 

Poisons, 238 

Physic Ball for horses, 247 

Pricking, 161 

Ringbone, , 116 

Recipes, &c, 280 

Refrigerents, 242 

Rowels, &c.,. 255 

Riding, , 254 

Remarks on gathering and preserving vegetables for medicine, . 279 

Slobbering, 60 

Scratches, 61 

Swellings and inflammation, 62 

Stiff joints and callouses, 63 

Sumach, , . . 249 

Sweeny, 81 

Spasmodic colic, 100 

Strangles, 122 

Sprung knees, and string halt, 124 

Star or blaze, 125 

Swelled legs, 127 

Stable management, 128 

Scalded or galled breast, 151 

Surgery, 156 

Strong liquid blister, 252 

Shoeing, 67 

The feet, 64 

Treatment of cords and muscles, 155 

To destroy lice on colts, 70 

The abuse of the horse, with blankets, 74 



INDEX. 337 

Page. 

To prevent flies from teasing horses, 75 

The horse is of great utility to man. 3-5 

To cure warts on horses, , 75 

The red colic, ' . . . 101 

The lampass, 88 

To learn a horse to lie down, 211 

The pulse, inflammation, and bleeding, 89, 91 

To spot a white or red horse, with black spots, 126 

Tetanus, or lock jaw, 152 

Time table, running, trotting, and pacing, 181 

The stallion, 179 

To take off wind galls, , 68 

Tonics, . 244 

Tobacco, 240 

Temporary lifting. 248 

•The dead shot, 252 

Volatile oils, 235 

Wounds and old sores, 63 

Treatment of wounds, 120 

Wind colic, 98 

Wall whoop, » 282 

Yellow water, and Jaundice, 149 

The following names of plants, and their use in medicine, to- 
gether with some valuable receipts both for man and horse ; 
will be found by the following numbers under the head of 
Wah Whoop: 

No. 1 . White oak bark and buds 283 

2. Snake root, • • » • 283' 

3. Indian wormwood, * 283 

4. Pepper root, 284 

5. Larger Golden thread, . 2S4 

6 Horsetail, 2S4 

7. Gravel weed, 2S4 

8. Hemp, 285 

9. Artichokes, 285 

10. May weed, 285 

29 



338 INDEX. 

Page. 

11. Saffron, ,. 2S5 

12. Red roses 286 

13. Vervine, 2S6 

14. Witch hazel, 286 

15. Crow foot or Butter cup, 286 

16. Summer savory, , 287 

17. Currants, 287 

18. Sweet fern, 287 

] 9. Plantain, 287 

20. Strawberry leaves, 287 

21. High Deer weed, 288 

22. Eyebright, 288 

23. Dog acna, 288 

24. Running hemlock, , .-. 289 

25. For the bite of a dog, or pricking of a thorn, 289 

26. To take a film from the eye, 290 

27. For a cough and phthisic, 280 

28. For the heart disease, 290 

29. For a burn, 290 

30. To cure vegetable poison, 290 

31. Strengthening plasters, 291 

32. For dropsy, 291 

33. For weakness, or general debility of the whole system, 291 

34. For a cough, 292 

35. Cure for the asthma, 292 

36. For the same or heaves, 292 

37. For a sore throat, 293 

38. For stoppage of urine, urinary balls, 293 

39. To cure canker in the mouth, 294 

40. A plaster to eage the pain of swelling or felon, 294 

41. A good salve for bruises, &c, 294 

42. To stop blood from a fresh wound, 295 

43. To make Casler's linimont, 295 

44. To make Guiwitt 1 s liniment, 295 

45. Cure for corns, 295 

46. Avery's eye wash, 296 

47. Stafford's cordial for a weak stomach, &c, 296 



INDEX. 339 

Page. 

48. To make Turner's liniment for breach, 296 

49. To make good advice acceptable and useful, 29G 

50. For a very weak stomach of long standing, 296 

51 . For the dropsy, S 97 

52. For a spavin, 297 

53. For the rheumatism, 297 

54. For thrush and corns in founded feet, &c, 298 

55. In order to ascertain the true state of the pulse, 298 

56. Renewal of life, 298 

57. Lightning liniment, 300 

58. Mullen oil, or tinctnre, 300 

59. For colt distemper, or strangles, 30 L 

60. Composition for ringbone, or spavin, 301 

61 . For rheumatic affections &c, 302 

62. For bloat in horses or cattle, : 30 2 

63. For founder, stiffness, &c, 302 

64. A poultice, 303 

65. Elecampane, 303 

66. To learn a horse to pace, 303 

67. Where strong erhines are wanted, 303 

68. Wonderful but true, , S04 

69. A salve, 304 

70. Ox marrow, , 304 

71. To cleanse and heal an old sore, &c, fever sore, 304 

72. To clean the horse, 305 

73. Caution, 305 

74. Adhesive or sticking plaster, . * 305 

75. Liniment, celebrated, 306 

76. A new discovery for a burn, 306 

77. To break a horse of kicking, 306 

78. Cutting teeth, 307 

79. For milk leg sores, 307 

50. Another heave ball, , 307 

51. A liniment for sprains, bruises, ringboues, spavins anl 
any lameness, 308 

82. A receipt to cure sweeny, 308 

83. Disinfecting compound, 308 



340 INDEX. 

Page. 

84. An excellent liniment for skin fracfures and blotches, . . 309 

85. To clear the eye from dirt, 309 

86. Happiness consist in doing right, 309 

87. Restoration to health, 310 

88. The Non plus, 3L0 

89. For a geneial medicine, 310 311 

90 . The farmer's medicine chest, 312 

91. Another receipt for condition powders, 3X3 

92. A restorative or a simple digestive, 313 

93. Frog's oil to relax the muscles, #c, 314 

94. A good domestic liniment, 315 

95. A good horse liniment, 315 

96. Cause and effects, 315 

97. The study of nature, 316 317 

98. The tourniquet. 318 

99. Cure for a despairing mind, 319 



ERRATA. 

Pago 62. Swelling and inflammation. This is caused by talcing cold after cas- 
tration ; should read, That is caused, &c. 

Page 64, In recipe, should read, dissolve two drachms of sal ammoniac in water. 
(For it is soluble only in water ) 

Page 115. The remedy, tartar emetic, is leit out. Should be put on the plaster 
for bone spavin. 

Page 126, The word smart, should read asmart, or smart weed. 



20 Aug 1860 



